The Flight of Honor

to

"Thank You World War II Vets"

Appreciation from Ernest A. Herr, World War II Vet

 

    With the end of World War II, those of us who had participated in and fought the long battle never expected nor received an official "Thank You" from our fellow citizens. We didn't expect one and would have been quite surprised to hear one. After all, everyone was participating in the war effort and we vets didn't expect to be the ones to claim all the glory. After all, it seemed to be everyone's war. But now, with a World War II Memorial finally existing, and with so few of us left, maybe those younger citizens thought now might be the time. And so it was.

        On April 17th 2010, a Triad Flight of Honor took off from Greensboro, North Carolina on a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial and to honor World War II serviceman from this area of North Carolina. Ours was not the first and would not be the last. Also on the same day, many other Flights of Honor were being carried out in other parts of the nation. They all were quite similar. Our flight started with our plane passing under a powerful arch of water in a water cannon salute. We were impressed but had no idea what lay ahead waiting for us.

      It was a beautiful day for flying and we arrived in Washington some forty minutes later having just enough time for a leisurely breakfast courtesy of local Rotarian Clubs which, incidentally, organized and managed the entire trip. I'm sure we will all be eternally thankful for their superb handling of this affair. On arrival at Washington, our first big surprise took place. To enter the airport we passed between two long columns of Washingtonians who grabbed our hands and warmly thanked each and every one of us. It may have been a little late in coming but it was amazingly warm and sincere when they shook our hands and hugged us. The military was there also to salute us and shake our hands. We were in a state of shock from the welcome but managed to make our way through the large group of wonderful people. Our hands were still intact.

     The trip through the many war memorials was quite impressive and we were able to spend two hours at the World War II Memorial. It is quite large and more than worth the time it took to cover its large area. Also included was tours of the other war memorials and a bus tour through the city which should have been invaluable for those who had never made been there before. I had previously made the trip but never so extensively. Upon finishing the city tour, our bus then took its cargo of veterans to the airport. There again we vets received another water cannon salute. We heard that this salute is rarely given at the Washington airport.

     Upon out arrival at our home airport, we, rather unbelievably, received a third water canon salute. Fortunately, our airplane was quite water-proof. And still, in my estimation, the best was yet to come.

     As we entered the Greensboro airport and started our long walk toward the exit gates, we were astounded to see very large crowds gathered to welcome us.  They stretched the complete distance to the exits. Someone said it was at least one to two thousand. It looked like more to me as they filled the walkway from side to side. Where did they come from and how did they get here. The airport is quite a distance from anywhere and is not a popular place to hang out. It is usually thinly populated any time that I came through. But, there they were; would it even be possible to get through.

     Physically it would be possible, emotionally it would be a little harder. How and why were there so many fellow citizens there to greet us. For some reason, it was hard to fight back the tears. Why the tears anyway? This was a very exciting and happy occasion -- not a time for tears and so many of them. How I managed to get through, I'll never know. So many wonderful people grabbing your hand and hugging you. At that moment, I was never so proud to be an American.

     Surprisingly tears were hard to hold back. Why tears at such a proud and happy situation. Maybe the tears were  for those who didn't make it. When your fellow vets perished so long ago, they were strangers from across the country and were different in so many ways; different nationalities, different religions and even different races but now they are all just brothers and it's hard to have lost a brother.

     Maybe the love and sincerity of all those great citizens who came to express a thank you may somehow let them know that these handshakes and hugs are for them too. We will be eternally grateful for their expression of love shown to us and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you all.