Joseph B. Nadeau, Staff Writer 05/25/2006

WOONSOCKET — The bad memories of the early hours of D-Day will always be there. Nothing will ever change that for Richard D. Fazzio of 319 Mowry St.

But thanks to a visit back to Normandy this spring, Fazzio has a new outlook on his role in the Allied invasion of Nazi-held France 62 years ago.
Fazzio returned to Normandy as part of Providence film producer Tim Gray’s work on a project honoring Rhode Island veterans of the invasion, and will be on the big screen at the Stadium Theatre this Sunday when the hourlong documentary “D-Day +62; Rhode Island Veterans Return to Normandy” debuts. It will also air on WJAR-TV (Channel 10) in observance of this year’s anniversary of D-Day on June 6.

“It brought back a lot of what I went through, but I’m glad that I went,” Fazzio said about his participation in the new documentary.

Fazzio joined four other Rhode Island veterans of the invasion — Frank Chomka, 83, of Mendon Road, Cumberland; Wilson Delasanta, of New Clark Road, Cumberland; Leo Heroux, of Central Falls; and Chris Heisler, of Wakefield — in making the trip, and will be featured with several other Rhode Islanders with connections to D-Day in the completed project.
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