Thanks for remembering
When I returned from Korea the welcome we received in San Francisco in 1952 was a welcome by a three-piece Salvation Army band.
Our son got me an application for the Honor Flight of the Ozarks to Washington, D.C. It was accepted. I was set to fly out of Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Aug. 25. A guardian was to go along with each veteran. So I recommended Evie, my wife, but she is over 70 years old. The guardian had to be younger than 70 years of age, so I chose my son who volunteered.
Roll call was at 4 a.m. (ugh) and people were there sending 163 people off -- 75 veterans and 75 guardians, and some doctors and nurses -- all volunteering their time to spend a long day with us. An airplane flew us into Dulles Airport in D.C., where we were greeted by a large crowd, all waving American flags, cheering us on, shaking hands and hugs with strangers.
Three buses waited to give us our tour. We left the airport with a police escort. When the police officer went through the intersections, it was like Moses parting the Red Sea. Cars stopped on both sides as we sped through the traffic light.
We were taken to the World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial (which was special to me), Vietnam Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and Air Force Memorial (the newest one) -- all very impressive.
The last stop was Arlington Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard. This was very, very impressive. The soldiers guard the tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in all kinds of weather. If you have a Bucket List, place this near the top.
We were escorted, lights and sirens, back again to Dulles for Mail Call and Roll Call to get ready to fly back to Springfield. You helped make my day special with all the mail, letters and cards.
At about 9:30 p.m. we arrived in Springfield, welcomed by approximately 500 people. There were about 14 motorcycles and riders waving flags, a Shrine band and a military group. I saw a pretty lady waving an American flag, guess who? My wife. I gave her a big smooch and kissed the flag she was waving.
This could not happen without all the wonderful people volunteering their time and talent. We read and hear about bad things happening daily in the news and papers, and little about the good things.
Our country is not going to Hell. I witnessed some of the Silent Majority wearing patriotic shirts, displaying balloons with American flags printed on them and banners all hung on the walls with Welcome Home. The mayor was there. It was tear jerking. This can only happen in the U.S.
Thank you very much to everyone making a big remembrance for an old man. Also thanks Dave for flying from Wisconsin to be my Guardian. What a day. Amen.
Bill Waters
Bella Vista
Editorial on 09/23/2015