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Veterans greeted with heroes' welcome
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By Troy Moon
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Pensacola News Journal, April 30th, 2008
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The Emerald Coast Honor Flight with 100 veterans arrived to a heroes' welcome around 7 p.m. tonight in Pensacola.
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They were met by members of all military branches, who escorted them to the Pensacola Regional Airport lobby. Hundreds of people were waiting with signs, banners, flags and even a band.
Dr. Coy Irvin, chief physician on the flight, said everyone made it back in good condition.
"Everybody's good, and if they aren't they wouldn't tell me anyway. That's the kind of people they are," he said.
The daylong, whirlwind trip to the nation's capital to visit the National World War II Memorial is coming to an end.
The afternoon was spent taking in a once-in-a-lifetime visit. Some met family members; other scattered about.
After eating a box lunch from Arby's under tents near the Washington Monument, the group of about 100 vets and 30 guardians scattered to see the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and Korean War Memorial. The landmarks are within walking distance.
Elvin Ryals, 83, a Navy vet who served in the Pacific, stood at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and looked across toward the Washington Monument.
"When I see those things, it reminds me of freedom; that's what freedom means to me," he said.
The Emerald Coast Honor Flight veterans entered the World War II Memorial underneath the giant Pacific archway.
They slowly walked and wheeled down to the open-air portion of the memorial, surrounded by fountains and large granite pillars representing each state.
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, himself a World War II veteran, is thanking the veterans for their service.
"If it wasn't for you, we'd all be speaking Japanese or German by now,' the former Kansas senator said.
Veterans, along with Dole, also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to honor fallen comrades.
It's not just the memorial that's the attraction for some veterans. A few even met loved ones.
Pearl Harbor survivor John Rutledge is spending the afternoon with his granddaughter, Merritt Myers, who is a legislative aide for U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia.
The two haven't seen each other since Christmas.
"This is the best part of the trip,' Rutledge, 88, of Pensacola said while standing next to his 30-year-old granddaughtger.
"It gives you an appreciation for what we have and the sacrifice they made,' Merritt said while touring the memorial. "They're all special. And he (Rutledge) isn't too shabby either."
Fred M. Baber, 40, of Springfiled, Mass., rode the train to the District of Columbia to meet his father, Fred F. Baber, 89, of Crestview.
"This is huge,' the younger Baber said as he waited for his father to arrive off the bus at the memorial. "Ever since he found out about this day, he's been positively giddy.'
When veterans arrived at the three charter buses that would take them to the World War II Memorial, they were met by Jeff Miller.
And Jeff Miller.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller greeted veterans at one bus, while Jeff Miller, one of the founders of the National Honor Flight program, greeted veterans at the other.
"I'm the other Jeff Miller,' the Honor Flight co-founder said, introducing himself to veterans. "It's made for a lot of confusion this week coordinating everything.'
U.S. Rep. Miller, of Chumuckla, who didn't meet his counterpart until today, said this is a thrill for him as well as the veterans.
"I am overwhelmed,' Miller said. "Just look at these guys. They look happy and that makes me happy. It's just a great day.'
Members of the Greatest Generation have been given a heroes' welcome all day.
Firetrucks spraying water and an enthusiastic crowd greeted the World War II veterans as the Honor Flight touched down about 9:10 a.m. Central Time.
As the plane touched down, fire trucks sprayed water into the air to welcome the vets, their guardians and the medical team.
Inside the terminal, United Airlines workers waved banners. The terminal was a sea of red, white and blue.
As the vets deplaned -- some in wheelchairs -- applause and shouts erupted from bystanders.
"This is just a complete surprise," Lawrence Sidel, 84, of Fort Walton Beach said. The former Navy corpsman was nearly in tears. "We are so grateful that they are so grateful."
The applause continued for more than 15 minutes, until the veterans began to board buses to begin their trip to the World War II memorial.
During that flight, the vets were given letters during a "mail call" ceremony. The letters were from children in local schools who wrote to them and thanked them for their service.
The Emerald Coast Honor Flight is the local chapter of a 5-year-old national Honor Flight program that has brought thousands of World War II veterans to the nation's capital.
Former Navy photographer Val Henn, 87, is one of the veterans making the one-day trip.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," said Henn, a Cantonment resident who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, said earlier today.
"I'm tired, as usual. But I'm looking forward to it."
The flight will cost about $65,000. Baptist Health Care and Humana Veterans Healthcare Services each contributed $25,000 for the trip, while other companies and individuals contributed the remainder.
The veterans were accompanied by 30 volunteers who paid their own way for the trip and will serve as guardians. A physician and various military medics were on the flight.
The local trip was spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla.
Veteran Al Brandon, 81, of Pensacola, made the trip. He was more excited about the camaraderie than the memorial itself. He hoped to meet some people who were assigned to Fleet Air Wing 7, as he was during World War II.
"That's the part I'm looking forward to," said Brandon, 81, earlier today. He joined the Navy at age 15 with inaccurate documents stating he was 18. "Meeting the people. Because there will never be another generation like the 'Greatest Generation.' We all wanted to do what's best for our country."
About 300 veterans applied for today's Honor Flight. First priority was given to those with health problems; the rest were admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Money is being raised for a second flight, possibly later this year.
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