One hundred veterans of World War II, accompanied by a large number of “guardians,” were rewarded with a one-day journey to see the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. and to see other notable memorials to American military heroes and statesmen. Following is an account of that marvelous day, featuring some most welcome and unexpected features.

The day began for the LaGrange veterans with a send-off from the Presbyterian parking lot, where a large, ebullient crowd of relatives, friends and civic leaders, (Mayor Jeff Lukken and County Commissioner Ricky Wolfe), assembled to express their love and appreciation of these old soldiers from “The Greatest Generation”. Assembled at about 5 a.m. there were prayers, shouts of joy and good wishes, and hot coffee toasts to the veterans. When the last of the 10 veterans arrived, they with their “guardians” jammed into the church bus and took off behind the blinking blue lights of the police escort which would take them all the way to the Columbus Airport. At Jones Cross Road they were joined by another bus carrying a similar load of veterans and guardians from Valley, Alabama. The LaGrange bus was entered by the sheriff of Harris County, who brought welcome and good wishes from the folks of Harris County.

A trace of daylight was present by the time we reached the air terminal at Columbus. On entering the terminal we were astonished to see two lines of young, uniformed soldiers creating a corridor for our approach to the check-in station. These young men and women soldiers stood stiffly with a hand salute to these old timers whom they came to greet. And there came the sound of a military band, filling the space with stirring marches and soft love songs from the 40’s. And then the many civilians reaching out to give a hand-shake and a shout of “Thanks and good luck!.

Our airplane was a sleek, gleaming Boeing 737 operated by Miami International Air. Every seat was filled, seating about 100 veterans and a host of guardians. The crew were friendly and accommodating, and the in-flight breakfast they provided was just right for this early morning repast. As we flew we were entertained by a video introduction to the World War II Memorial, presenting the history of its creation, and telling of the many controversies that occurred in the planning of the location and the design of this great memorial.

One and a half hours after we left the runway in Columbus our plane settled softly on the runway at BWI (Baltimore Washington International), and suddenly we noticed great streams of water directed at our craft by the welcoming fire trucks of BWI, indicating a great welcome planned by the citizens of Washington and Baltimore. We quickly followed the lead of our well-organized “guardians” and were settled into three large touring buses for transport to the sights we would see in the national parks in D.C., and then on to the great memorials across the Potomac.

The WW II memorial is huge, beautiful, symbolically rich and contains the engraved quotes of our leaders: FDR, General Eisenhower, Oveta Culp Hobby (commandant of the WACs during WW II), Harry Truman, Douglas MacArthur, et al). A group photograph was made at this memorial, including former Senator Bob Dole with our entire Honor Flight detachment.

At this first stop we also had the opportunity to see the memorials to the Korean War, the Vietnam War and a special monument honoring women in war (especially nurses). The Vietnam Memorial, with over 50,000 names of those killed or MIA carved into black marble, is sobering for making us remember that great loss. The Korean War Memorial, a scattered troop of infantry men, in rain gear, most carrying their rifle, or with radio antennas protruding thru their clothing, all solid gray in color, and with a forlorn, desperate countenance - a really “spooky” character. The women warrior monument portrays robust females attending to the seriously injured soldiers, in great praise of the strength and courage of women at war. Crossing the Potomac we see in Arlington National Cemetery, the famous and beautiful Iwo Jima Memorial, the placing of the Stars and Stripes on the mountain top by a quartet of brave Marines. And finally witnessing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

At the end of a day of high emotional experiences, we enter again into our big jet, welcomed by a new crew, and offered in flight a really delicious hot dinner (just like air lines used to serve). Enroute we receive the greetings at “Mail Call”, good wishes from friends and family to us old timers. The crush of time mostly prevented the readings of these many messages, as we now complete the 1 ½ hour return flight. And in the Columbus terminal we all received the warmest welcome that most of us have ever experienced, as folk of all ages eagerly sought the touch of our hands, in hand shakes or high-fives, or hugs and kisses, and of exchanges of the exclamation, “Ain’t this a wonderful country!”, and with many teary eyes, both theirs and ours.

In conclusion I shared with Ed Waltemath the thought: “You know, Ed, our nation is telling us “Tthanks and goodbye!”