`Unforgettable sentimental journey’ honors Greatest Generation

PLYMOUTH – On May 2, I had the distinct honor and privilege of being in the company of 300 World War II veterans, one of them very near and dear to my heart – my dad. He waited more than a year and a half for a seat on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, a flight which provided the opportunity for a free trip to Washington, D.C., for the World War II veterans to visit the memorials that stand in their honor.

May 2 finally arrived and it was a day Dad will never forget. It was the first-ever Honor Flight taken on a Boeing 747, and Dad felt like he was president for a day riding on that huge plane. “That's how important I felt,” he said.

Many other veterans had the same sentiments.

I, as his guardian, was humbled and deeply honored to be among these members of the Greatest Generation. As I sat on the plane next to Dad, a World War II Navy veteran, I felt overwhelmed with emotional feelings of gratitude and respect. I thought about all the rights and privileges I have living in a free country and it was all because of the selfless sacrifices of Dad and all the other 299 World War II veterans aboard that plane. I owed each one a great debt of gratitude. I knew each one had a unique story to tell. It was like opening up a history book as I learned firsthand about the battles they fought in and the hardships they had to endure. Sixty-plus years ago these men were just teenage boys coming out of the Great Depression, leaving the life they once knew to fight for our freedom and for the freedom of strangers in a foreign land. How fortunate I was to be sitting among these brave men.

As we deplaned in Washington, D.C., military personnel saluted, shook the hands of each veteran and said “thank you,” – a warm welcome indeed, which brought tears to the eyes of many of these veterans.

A highlight for Dad was, of course, the World War II Memorial and observing the Freedom Wall's 4,000 gold stars commemorating the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in the war. As Dad looked at all those stars, he said, “Those are the guys who never came back. Those were my buddies, my shipmates, and my brother-in-law. Those were the true heroes.”

Being at this hallowed place and seeing the memorial with his fellow veterans made it even more meaningful, a shared experience with a band of brothers and an awesome sight to see through the eyes of a guardian.

As a guardian I witnessed the enthusiasm, desire and determination of these veterans in the 90-degree heat to get off the coaches at every memorial on the itinerary. These guys wanted to take it all in knowing they would never get another chance to do so. Even though the day was long, Dad said it went by quickly because there was always something to look forward to.

This was truly an experience of a lifetime for Dad. He told me this trip reminded him of the words to a song by one of his favorite singers, Nat King Cole – “Unforgettable.” He mentioned that everyone treated them so great from start to finish.

When the veterans received mail call, he said, “I watched the other veterans as they opened up their mail and saw tears in their eyes until I had to wipe away my own.”

The first letter he read was from my mother, his wife of over 61 years. It was a touching moment etched in my mind forever as I, too, watched Dad and all the veterans read their thank-you letters from family, friends, and schoolchildren. I knew then that I didn't pack enough Kleenex.

Upon our arrival back in Milwaukee, our heroes were completely overwhelmed by the “Welcome Home” reception. First came the reception of uniformed personnel of the police and fire departments, the medics and members of the Armed Forces. Then came the grand finale when the veterans were greeted in the main terminal by thousands of people of all ages, thanking them for their service while waving banners and flags along with various bands playing patriotic music. It was a sight to behold. Dad was speechless and overjoyed and thought the “Homecoming” was out of this world. He said the endless hands outstretched to him and the rest of the 299 veterans pumped everybody up and the adrenaline was flowing from the very start of the trip to the very end. After taking Dad home at 2 a.m., almost 24 hours from the time we picked him up, he stayed up a bit longer just to read more of his letters from mail call.

Being on this Honor Flight with my dad was “unforgettable” for me as well. From the moment they stepped off the plane in Washington, D.C., to the moment they arrived back in Milwaukee, they were welcomed as heroes. Dad loved the music from the 1940s and a very popular song back then by the late Glenn Miller was “Gonna Take a Sentimental Journey” and that, indeed, is what the May 2 Honor Flight was all about. It was a journey filled with sentiments, camaraderie, tears, joy and laughter allowing these men to relive what they had experienced over 60 years ago.

I felt humbled to be in the company of what is truly the Greatest of All Generations. I was so proud to be part of the recognition and thank-yous these veterans never asked for but so richly deserved. I know this long-overdue outpouring of appreciation won't go to their heads. They are, after all, the generation that just did their job. I hold my dad and each World War II veteran in the highest esteem with admiration. This trip had a profound impact upon me. It was an honor to be on that flight and an honor to share their legacy. It really was an “Unforgettable Sentimental Journey” and I thank God I got to share it with Dad.