Thursday, June 6, 2024, marks 80 years since Allied armies stormed the beaches of Normandy, France during World War II on D-Day.
The number of veterans who have served in war is decreasing year by year.
But the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, is helping some of their stories live on through artificial intelligence.
JACK CARR REMEMBERS GENERAL EISENHOWER’S D-DAY MEMO ABOUT “GREAT AND NOBLE UNDERTAKING”
Eighteen World War II veterans are part of a new exhibit called “Voices from the Front” that opened to the public in March.
It allows people to ask questions and get real answers from veterans – one of whom was there on the day of the invasion.
Peter Crean, vice president of education and access (right, standing) at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, uses the museum’s AI exhibit. On the left, an American veteran of World War II. (Fox News)
Tolley Fletcher is a World War II veteran. He enlisted in the US Navy at age 17 shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
At the age of 19, he was on a ship stationed off the beaches of Normandy.
It was stationed at Utah Beach, one of five landing zones.
Tolley Fletcher is shown during his service to the nation in World War II. (National World War II Museum)
“On the morning of the invasion, you could look up and as far as you could see to the front and back and to the side, there was nothing but planes,” Fletcher told Fox News.
“I was at my gun station and I don’t mind admitting that I had the shakes to some degree. I think it would be more of a concern to some degree. Basically, you know there’s a chance of getting killed .”
D-DAY AT 80: ONE MORE NORMANDY MISSION FOR THE GREATEST GENERATION
Fletcher said the waters were rough that day, making it difficult for soldiers to reach shore.
Still, he said, “I’ve been asked several times if we had any doubt that we were going to win the war. And I don’t know anyone who doubted it, not on our side anyway.”
Tolley Fletcher looks at the honors awarded to him for his service in the Second World War. (Fox News)
People visiting the National World War II Museum can now hear Fletcher’s story in his own words.
Peter Crean, the museum’s vice president of education and access, said Fletcher and 17 other veterans were interviewed and their responses recorded.
NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM’S NEW EXHIBIT USES IT TO LET VISITORS HAVE VIRTUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH VETERANS
“To [interviews] were shot in volume with nine cameras surrounding them, and we asked them, over about a two-day period, more than 1,000 questions,” Crean said.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
The system uses AI to match each question with a real answer given by the veteran.
National World War II Museum in New Orleans. “A hundred years from now, someone’s children or grandchildren will be able to come here and talk to a World War II veteran.” (Fox News)
“A hundred years from now, someone’s children or grandchildren will be able to come here and have a conversation with a World War II veteran,” Crean said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“That’s the primary source material that goes to the source and, of course, it’s becoming more and more important as that generation is starting to fade from history.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Crean said the AI technology is constantly learning from people’s questions — making each answer more accurate to the question asked and faster after each use.
#stories #DDay #veterans #live #National #WWII #Museum
Image Source : www.foxnews.com