thedrifter
08-06-09, 07:02 AM
A Monumental Trip for 'Hometown Heroes'
WWII Veterans From Kansas County Are Treated to Tour of D.C. Area Landmarks
By Catherine Cheney
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 6, 2009
William Lear wasn't sure he and his fellow travelers deserved all the fuss. But 18 months ago, some folks connected to his home town in Brown County, Kan., decided that its surviving World War II veterans deserved recognition -- and a visit to see the monuments dedicated to them and their service.
So there they were this week, 13 of Brown County's 22 surviving veterans who were able to make the trip. Some walked, and others had to be wheeled to the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington County on Tuesday night. All received applause from tourists and salutes from Marines.
"I had goose bumps on my arms and tears in my eyes," said Forrest Jones of Sabetha, Kan., who served in the Marines and Army and fought in World War II and the Korean War. He wore a hat that said "Served with Pride," but he was humble when tourists approached him and shook his hand to thank him for his service.
"I didn't do anything," said Jones, 86. "I was just being a good citizen and trying to save our country."
But it was that sense of duty that convinced Connie Parker of Annapolis (and a native of Brown County, Kan.), along with longtime friend Charles Baird, that their fellow Kansans deserved recognition. So Parker and Baird, who lives in the small farming town of Hiawatha, Kan., ran radio spots and newspaper announcements seeking money to bring the veterans to Washington. They raised $14,000.
Parker said she worried about transporting the men, especially those requiring wheelchairs. But representatives of the military were with the veterans every step of the way.
Gunnery Sgt. Michael Reed, a public affairs officer for the Marine Corps, made sure the veterans were escorted in and out of a parade at the memorial. They watched a drum and bugle corps and silent drill platoon from a special seating area. They wore red, white and blue nametags and matching World War II shirts and held small American flags.
Other groups bring veterans to Washington to see memorials, but Parker said she wanted to do something different for her "hometown heroes." The veterans arrived at Reagan National Airport on Tuesday morning and spent the day visiting the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capitol and the National Air and Space Museum. Before attending the Marine Corps parade, they dined at the Fort Myer Officers' Club, where they shared stories about farming and fighting in the war.
"We didn't have money, but we had fun," said Lester Wenger of his childhood in Kansas. Wenger, 83, served in the Army during the war. He said he had never been out of Brown County before enlisting.
Jones played the same joke on everyone around his table: "How many kids do you have?" someone would ask. "Three and a half dozen," he would respond. "Three boys and a half-dozen girls."
On Wednesday, Parker, nine chaperons and three uniformed men from the Air Force who volunteered their time escorted the veterans from the World War II memorial to the Korean and Vietnam war memorials.
Francis Wahwasuck, 91, grew up and still lives on the Kickapoo Indian Reservation in Brown County. He enlisted in the Army when he was 17 and was awarded a Purple Heart during the Korean War after a shrapnel injury to his leg. Wahwasuck wore a camera around his neck, and as he was wheeled through the Korean War memorial, he said he planned to show his children and grandchildren his pictures.
After visiting the Korean and Vietnam memorials, the veterans headed to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, where they were escorted by Marines to the front of the line just in time for the changing of the guard.
At many turns, the men were met by tourists who asked them to tell stories and shake hands, and who often became emotional as they thanked them for their service.
"Everywhere we go, they get treated like kings," said Jodi Trombly, a doctor on the trip, "and we get to go along for the ride."
Pix's
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/08/05/GA2009080503806.html?sid=ST2009080503838
Ellie
WWII Veterans From Kansas County Are Treated to Tour of D.C. Area Landmarks
By Catherine Cheney
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 6, 2009
William Lear wasn't sure he and his fellow travelers deserved all the fuss. But 18 months ago, some folks connected to his home town in Brown County, Kan., decided that its surviving World War II veterans deserved recognition -- and a visit to see the monuments dedicated to them and their service.
So there they were this week, 13 of Brown County's 22 surviving veterans who were able to make the trip. Some walked, and others had to be wheeled to the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington County on Tuesday night. All received applause from tourists and salutes from Marines.
"I had goose bumps on my arms and tears in my eyes," said Forrest Jones of Sabetha, Kan., who served in the Marines and Army and fought in World War II and the Korean War. He wore a hat that said "Served with Pride," but he was humble when tourists approached him and shook his hand to thank him for his service.
"I didn't do anything," said Jones, 86. "I was just being a good citizen and trying to save our country."
But it was that sense of duty that convinced Connie Parker of Annapolis (and a native of Brown County, Kan.), along with longtime friend Charles Baird, that their fellow Kansans deserved recognition. So Parker and Baird, who lives in the small farming town of Hiawatha, Kan., ran radio spots and newspaper announcements seeking money to bring the veterans to Washington. They raised $14,000.
Parker said she worried about transporting the men, especially those requiring wheelchairs. But representatives of the military were with the veterans every step of the way.
Gunnery Sgt. Michael Reed, a public affairs officer for the Marine Corps, made sure the veterans were escorted in and out of a parade at the memorial. They watched a drum and bugle corps and silent drill platoon from a special seating area. They wore red, white and blue nametags and matching World War II shirts and held small American flags.
Other groups bring veterans to Washington to see memorials, but Parker said she wanted to do something different for her "hometown heroes." The veterans arrived at Reagan National Airport on Tuesday morning and spent the day visiting the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capitol and the National Air and Space Museum. Before attending the Marine Corps parade, they dined at the Fort Myer Officers' Club, where they shared stories about farming and fighting in the war.
"We didn't have money, but we had fun," said Lester Wenger of his childhood in Kansas. Wenger, 83, served in the Army during the war. He said he had never been out of Brown County before enlisting.
Jones played the same joke on everyone around his table: "How many kids do you have?" someone would ask. "Three and a half dozen," he would respond. "Three boys and a half-dozen girls."
On Wednesday, Parker, nine chaperons and three uniformed men from the Air Force who volunteered their time escorted the veterans from the World War II memorial to the Korean and Vietnam war memorials.
Francis Wahwasuck, 91, grew up and still lives on the Kickapoo Indian Reservation in Brown County. He enlisted in the Army when he was 17 and was awarded a Purple Heart during the Korean War after a shrapnel injury to his leg. Wahwasuck wore a camera around his neck, and as he was wheeled through the Korean War memorial, he said he planned to show his children and grandchildren his pictures.
After visiting the Korean and Vietnam memorials, the veterans headed to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, where they were escorted by Marines to the front of the line just in time for the changing of the guard.
At many turns, the men were met by tourists who asked them to tell stories and shake hands, and who often became emotional as they thanked them for their service.
"Everywhere we go, they get treated like kings," said Jodi Trombly, a doctor on the trip, "and we get to go along for the ride."
Pix's
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/08/05/GA2009080503806.html?sid=ST2009080503838
Ellie