September 9, 2014
The old boxes continue to enrich my life long after they were discovered. This trip would not have happened for me otherwise...
This past Monday, I had the honor of accompanying eighty-six Veterans on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight out of Wausau, Wisconsin. Forty-five of those Veterans served in WWII. From the stories that were being told to the tears being shed, this day will not soon be forgotten.
Here we all are, five o'clock in the morning, still very dark, and the place is buzzing with mainly ninety year old dignified anticipation. What a bunch of hardy souls. (No wonder we won the war)! When the sun finally made it's appearance, it was breathtaking and I couldn't help but think, 'America the Beautiful' is certainly appropriate. I then looked around the room and silently thanked them all once more for my freedom.
How sad that neither Melvin nor Clarence ever experienced such a day like this. It was just after ten o'clock at night when we landed and by the time we entered the terminal, it was absolute chaos. The cheers and music and people lined up to shake everyone's hand was more than even I had expected. What a way to end a 'memorable' and 'monumental' day. I cried the whole time I pushed that wheel chair through the crowd.
I went with Lt. Richard J. Wanserski on this flight. He was a B17 pilot shot down over Germany almost seventy years ago. My next book will be his story. He told me once that anyone can hang a flag but that doesn't make you a true patriot. I know that each and every person who works so hard to make these flights happen are true patriots. And I know that all of those people there at the airport so late at night waiting to welcome our heroes home; they, too, are definitely true patriots. A heartfelt thank you to all of you for being there for the Veterans.
Many Never Forgotten memories were made on this the 17th flight of this organization. Number 18 is October 6th. If you are anywhere near the Central Wisconsin airport that night, do yourself a favor and be a part of the welcome home celebration. You won't regret it.
The old boxes continue to enrich my life long after they were discovered. This trip would not have happened for me otherwise...
This past Monday, I had the honor of accompanying eighty-six Veterans on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight out of Wausau, Wisconsin. Forty-five of those Veterans served in WWII. From the stories that were being told to the tears being shed, this day will not soon be forgotten.
Here we all are, five o'clock in the morning, still very dark, and the place is buzzing with mainly ninety year old dignified anticipation. What a bunch of hardy souls. (No wonder we won the war)! When the sun finally made it's appearance, it was breathtaking and I couldn't help but think, 'America the Beautiful' is certainly appropriate. I then looked around the room and silently thanked them all once more for my freedom.
How sad that neither Melvin nor Clarence ever experienced such a day like this. It was just after ten o'clock at night when we landed and by the time we entered the terminal, it was absolute chaos. The cheers and music and people lined up to shake everyone's hand was more than even I had expected. What a way to end a 'memorable' and 'monumental' day. I cried the whole time I pushed that wheel chair through the crowd.
I went with Lt. Richard J. Wanserski on this flight. He was a B17 pilot shot down over Germany almost seventy years ago. My next book will be his story. He told me once that anyone can hang a flag but that doesn't make you a true patriot. I know that each and every person who works so hard to make these flights happen are true patriots. And I know that all of those people there at the airport so late at night waiting to welcome our heroes home; they, too, are definitely true patriots. A heartfelt thank you to all of you for being there for the Veterans.
Many Never Forgotten memories were made on this the 17th flight of this organization. Number 18 is October 6th. If you are anywhere near the Central Wisconsin airport that night, do yourself a favor and be a part of the welcome home celebration. You won't regret it.