Aug 01 2009
WWII Veteran Honor Flights
My Grandpa Jo just after returning home from the Pacific Theatre
This week I called the Central Prairie Honor Flights office to ask about my Grandpa Jo’s application to visit the Washington D.C. WWII memorial. My 85 yr old Grandpa said he would only go if I would accompany him, so earlier this year I applied to be his guardian on the trip. Hundreds of Kansas veterans have applied for this opportunity, so we have had to wait our turn. It now looks like we will be traveling in September or early October.
Grandpa was a combat medic in New Guinea & the Phillipines. I am a veteran of the USS Missouri, the site of the Japanese WWII Surrender, but my service on that famous ship was during the Gulf War era. The above photo shows us together with our Cold War certificates. Grandpa served at the beginning of the cold war; he was actually an occupation army soldier at Hiroshima, Japan after the bomb was dropped. I was stationed in Japan when the Berlin Wall fell, so we at both ends of the Cold War era.
No WWII veteran has to pay for his or her own flight, it is all supported through sponsor donations. If you know a veteran, perhaps you would consider sponsoring him or her on this amazing journey. If you have a large circle of influence, perhaps you could join me in spreading the word about this worthy cause. The national office can be contacted by visiting this link. If you want to support a specific region, you should contact the appropriate regional office.
Since each video automatically plays, I will give you the remaining three parts as links:
I think this is an awesome way to show appreciation to those who sacrificed some of their youth to support and defend freedom. Please consider supporting a veteran today! And stay tuned to this blog for further updates. I will be sure to share photos & video as this story progresses.
3 responses so far
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Wow Bill this is a great story. Does anyone in the county know about this. Can you tell me how I can get the word out about this great service. You and your grandfather must both be very proud, I know I am proud to know good people like the both of you.You are what makes America strong. Thanks for all you have done in the past and what I know you will do in the future.
I am planning to take the video camera along so the story can eventually be viewed on Twin Valley Television. I suppose I could also alert various other local media outlets about our trip.
[...] heading to Kansas City on the first leg of our veterans Honor Flight. It’s been a long wait, we applied to go last summer, but at long last our day has [...]