Honor Flight Of NW Ohio
Written by Jake's Son Ken
I went with my Dad on an "Honor Flight". . .
1. We assembled at a Toledo Airport hangar at 6 AM -
thank God they had coffee!
2. We flew a chartered Boeing 737 to Washington D.C.
3. A HUGE flag-waving crowd saw us off.
4. There were about 80 WW II veterans on the flight, and each had his own
personal "Guardian" to take care of him.
I was my Dad's Guardian (lucky him!).
5. - 7. We landed in Washington after a quick 1 hour flight,
and were greeted by another HUGE crowd of well-wishers!
thank God they had coffee!
2. We flew a chartered Boeing 737 to Washington D.C.
3. A HUGE flag-waving crowd saw us off.
4. There were about 80 WW II veterans on the flight, and each had his own
personal "Guardian" to take care of him.
I was my Dad's Guardian (lucky him!).
5. - 7. We landed in Washington after a quick 1 hour flight,
and were greeted by another HUGE crowd of well-wishers!
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part II)
1. From Washington's Dulles International Airport we boarded three busses.
2. A huge crowd was on hand to bid the veterans fairwell.
3. A lunch tent was set up for veterans next to the WW II Memorial.
4. The veterans enjoyed a tasty box lunch from Arby's.
5. After lunch, a WW II hero visits his Memorial.
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part III)
1. Northwest Ohio's Representative Marcy Kaptur was instrumental
in getting the WW II Memorial built.
It sits between the Washington and Lincoln Monuments.
2. Each State is recognized for the contribution of 16 million men and women
who served in the Armed Forces during WW II, and the millions more who
worked in factories and on farms to supply weapons and materials
needed to win.
3. We found Ohio - it is easy to spell!
NOTE: I'm carrying a "manbag," it is very European.
4. The Memorial has many inspirational words.
5. It also has a lot of water, which is good
because the heat index was 132 (96 degrees + 75% humidity)!
6. Fortunately, Honor Flight furnished a wheelchair for each
veteran/guardian team so old guys didn't have to walk too much.
NOTE: Each of the gold stars behind us
represents 1,000 US servicemen killed during the war
- there are 4,000 gold stars!
in getting the WW II Memorial built.
It sits between the Washington and Lincoln Monuments.
2. Each State is recognized for the contribution of 16 million men and women
who served in the Armed Forces during WW II, and the millions more who
worked in factories and on farms to supply weapons and materials
needed to win.
3. We found Ohio - it is easy to spell!
NOTE: I'm carrying a "manbag," it is very European.
4. The Memorial has many inspirational words.
5. It also has a lot of water, which is good
because the heat index was 132 (96 degrees + 75% humidity)!
6. Fortunately, Honor Flight furnished a wheelchair for each
veteran/guardian team so old guys didn't have to walk too much.
NOTE: Each of the gold stars behind us
represents 1,000 US servicemen killed during the war
- there are 4,000 gold stars!
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part IV)
1. Two 43 foot pavilons represent the two Theaters of WW II: the Atlantic Theater is on the North end, and the Pacific Theater is on the South end.
2. Fountains feature the many major battles of WW II. Here my Dad found Luzon and Manila, two battles he helped win.
3. More inspiration for "The Greatest Generation."
4. There are many bronze wall relief sculptures to tell the story of WW II. This one brings back some not-so-fond memories.
5. + 6. As we were leaving, we found the hidden WW II graffiti "Kilroy was here," which was found everywhere US troops ventured.
7. Because of all its brick and stone, the WW II Memorial was very hot - so we decided to move on and explore more of D.C.
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part V)
1. After thoroughly examining the WW II Memorial, we visited the Vietnam Memorial.
2. I might have dozed off during the trip - I hope I didn't miss anything!
3. What is everybody looking at?
4. A tribute to the brave women who served.
5. Reflections on the Vietnam War.
NOTE: I was on orders for Vietnam when I graduated from the Army's Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in December 1972.
They cancelled my orders and reassigned me to Ft. Sill, and all US troops left Vietnam by April 1973. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
2. I might have dozed off during the trip - I hope I didn't miss anything!
3. What is everybody looking at?
4. A tribute to the brave women who served.
5. Reflections on the Vietnam War.
NOTE: I was on orders for Vietnam when I graduated from the Army's Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in December 1972.
They cancelled my orders and reassigned me to Ft. Sill, and all US troops left Vietnam by April 1973. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part VI)
1. The Lincoln Memorial was next on our list.
2. It took the six Piccirilli brothers four years to carve the 19' statue. Lincoln's death mask was used to model his face, which is probably why he isn't smiling.
3. Besides hundreds of people coming up during the day to shake my Dad's hand and thank him for his service, the Honor Flight's official photographer took many pix of him. They'll be posted on their website in a couple of weeks.
4. We accidently found city's LEAST visited memorial - the District Of Columbia War memorial. It honors D.C.'s men who died in WW I.
2. It took the six Piccirilli brothers four years to carve the 19' statue. Lincoln's death mask was used to model his face, which is probably why he isn't smiling.
3. Besides hundreds of people coming up during the day to shake my Dad's hand and thank him for his service, the Honor Flight's official photographer took many pix of him. They'll be posted on their website in a couple of weeks.
4. We accidently found city's LEAST visited memorial - the District Of Columbia War memorial. It honors D.C.'s men who died in WW I.
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part VII)
1. The Korean War Memorial features 19 stainless steel statues, each over 7' tall (15 Army, 2 Marine, 1 Navy Medic, 1 Air Force Observer).
2. Most people don't realize it, but The Korean War never ended. An armistice ended three years of bloody fighting, but it did not officially end the war.
3. The Korean War started June 25, 1950. I was born about four months before the war started. The Army did not call my Dad back to active duty to fight in Korea - I guess they figured he'd have his hands full back home.
4. It was getting REALLY HOT, so we decided to move on.
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part VIII)
1. Next we visited Arlington National Cemetery.
2. + 3. The WW II veterans got a great view of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.
4. + 5. They watched the changing of the guard.
2. + 3. The WW II veterans got a great view of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.
4. + 5. They watched the changing of the guard.
Honor Flight Of NW Ohio (Part IX, Finale)
1. & 2. Another huge crowd greeted our Honor Flight's return to Toledo. We landed about 8:30 PM.
3. Everyone wants to welcome home the vets and thank them for their service.
4. + 5. Including family!
6. They even had a live band (the dead ones don't play loud enough)!
7. Each veteran got lots free loot - a sweet book on the WW II Memorial, a certificate, pencils, stickers, Girl Scout cookies, etc.
8. Jacob slept well that night.
3. Everyone wants to welcome home the vets and thank them for their service.
4. + 5. Including family!
6. They even had a live band (the dead ones don't play loud enough)!
7. Each veteran got lots free loot - a sweet book on the WW II Memorial, a certificate, pencils, stickers, Girl Scout cookies, etc.
8. Jacob slept well that night.