WWII vets want to see Washington memorial

Each has his own reason but they all share the same passion: They want to go to Washington, D.C., to see the National World War II Memorial.

Honor Flight USA was founded with the mission to fly veterans at no cost to the nation’s capital to see the memorial. A few determined and ready-to-go Green Valley veterans have sent in their applications and are waiting to be selected.

The Honor Flight Arizona chapter sent its first group of 11 to Washington on Nov. 3, and five veterans from Green Valley hope to be among those selected for a future trip.

Jerrould Lindgren, Donald McBride and Storrs Clough read two articles about Honor Flight in the Green Valley News in July and August.

It was Lindgren’s wife, Dolores, who encouraged him, asking, “Aren’t you going to apply?”

Lindgren, 86, served in the Army in Africa, Italy, France and Germany from 1943-46.

“I was in Washington 30 or 40 years ago, but I’d like to see the World War II Memorial and the Smithsonian,” he said.

The memorial was dedicated in 2004.

McBride, 84, has never been to the nation’s capital and said he’d like to see the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. “I’d like to see them all,” he said.

Clough, 90, was straightforward: “It sounded like a good deal. I’m 90 — and I think they take the oldest ones first.”

An Air Force pilot who flew B-17s in England, Clough said he never got a scratch and is in good shape for his age.

Robert Eastman, 78, learned about Honor Flight from a friend in the American Legion who was concerned he hadn’t heard about the program and gave him the information.

“Gee whiz, it sounded like a wonderful opportunity for an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. If something doesn’t happen to me I’d be tickled to go.

Roman Paluch, 83, heard about Honor Flight through American Legion Post 66, where’s he’s a Color Guard.

He served in the Navy from 1943-46, and said he wants to see the World War II Memorial in honor of his older brother.

“I’ve never been to Washington, D.C. My older brother Leonard served in WWII and was in the Normandy invasion. He’s gone now 10 years.

“Most of us old guys have a lot of memories. More than anything else, I want to see the memorial in memory of Leonard.”

Honor Flight Arizona spokeswoman Susan Howe said there are already more than 225 World War II veterans in Arizona who have signed up and are waiting their turn.

“Our dream for 2010 is to fly every veteran who signs up,” she said. “These Honor Flights are made possible solely by donations.”

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.

MORE ABOUT IT

For more information or to contribute to Honor Flight Arizona, go to www.honorflightnaz.org or call Susan Howe at 928-778-9421. Donations may be mailed to Honor Flight Arizona, P.O. Box 12258, Prescott, Ariz. 86304