If you visit the World War II Memorial in Washington DC, you might be lucky to see a veteran from the war there. 16,000,000 served. But that was 64 years ago. These heroes are leaving us at a rate of 1200 a day. There will come a day when there are no more. On that day silent wind will blow across the Mall and sweep away the last whisper of the men and women who fought for the freedom of the world. Shall we forget?
Because of Honor Flight, veterans who might not otherwise be able to visit their memorial are able to immerse themselves in a day of remembrances. Memories of their enlistments, the battles, the screw-ups, of friends and comrades who never came home, and of those, like them, who did. It is a special place to honor the fallen, but it also speaks to those who are still with us and their accomplishments in the years that came afterwards in the country they protected.
If you need to know what patriotism is, ask a World War II veteran. These are the guys who know first hand. They know how to honor the flag and their country. They know when to stand during a parade or the National Anthem. These are the guys who remove their hats and place their right hand over their hearts and actually watch the flag. They know how to be "one great nation under God" and can not comprehend how that concept could offend anyone. If you can’t respect the symbols of freedom, how can you have it?
The World War II veteran is humble, stoic, appreciative. Out of the Great Depression they came to pick up arms. Off to war they went. A war marked with signifignace of its own - the largest surrender in American military history (Baatan), largest seaborne invasion (Normandy Invasion) and the battle that became the bloodiest incorporating more troops and engaging more enemy troops than any other conflict (Battle of the Bulge). And when they came home after they had literally saved the world they humbly said they were not heroes, just survivors. Never did they ask for a memorial.
I had the honor to be with 60-70 World War II veterans last weekend when Dad and I traveled to see his Memorial, compliments of Honor Flight. I watched total strangers come up to Dad and thank him for his service.
On Saturday afternoon we sat at a table near a concession stand when four young very buff men approached us. They circled the table. I was shocked when they shook his hand and the hand of a few other veterans who were with us.
Because of Honor Flight, veterans who might not otherwise be able to visit their memorial are able to immerse themselves in a day of remembrances. Memories of their enlistments, the battles, the screw-ups, of friends and comrades who never came home, and of those, like them, who did. It is a special place to honor the fallen, but it also speaks to those who are still with us and their accomplishments in the years that came afterwards in the country they protected.
If you need to know what patriotism is, ask a World War II veteran. These are the guys who know first hand. They know how to honor the flag and their country. They know when to stand during a parade or the National Anthem. These are the guys who remove their hats and place their right hand over their hearts and actually watch the flag. They know how to be "one great nation under God" and can not comprehend how that concept could offend anyone. If you can’t respect the symbols of freedom, how can you have it?
The World War II veteran is humble, stoic, appreciative. Out of the Great Depression they came to pick up arms. Off to war they went. A war marked with signifignace of its own - the largest surrender in American military history (Baatan), largest seaborne invasion (Normandy Invasion) and the battle that became the bloodiest incorporating more troops and engaging more enemy troops than any other conflict (Battle of the Bulge). And when they came home after they had literally saved the world they humbly said they were not heroes, just survivors. Never did they ask for a memorial.
I had the honor to be with 60-70 World War II veterans last weekend when Dad and I traveled to see his Memorial, compliments of Honor Flight. I watched total strangers come up to Dad and thank him for his service.On Saturday afternoon we sat at a table near a concession stand when four young very buff men approached us. They circled the table. I was shocked when they shook his hand and the hand of a few other veterans who were with us.
“You fellas in the service?” Dad asked.
“Yes sir," they said in unison. It was a polite response, without bravado.
Marines, dressed in civilian attire. Full of themselves. Full of tomorrow, yet experienced in combat. Two tours in Iraq. Yet humble enough, respectful enough to recognize those that came before. I saw the connection between yesterday and today. That “one nation under God” thing bonding Americans, spanning generation. We shall not forget.
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