Larry McKee stands behind Pearl Harbor survivor Harold Johnson before the Freedom Wall at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. McKee served as Johnson’s “guardian” for the trip, which was provided to Johnson at no cost through the Honor Flight Network.
In terms of military service, our surviving World War II veterans are like rock stars.
At least that’s how several Oak Harbor veterans felt recently while participating in a trip to Washington, D.C. courtesy of the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization that provides transportation to the nation’s capital so veterans can visit their respective memorials.
“They announced us on the plane in Seattle and we got a big cheer,” said Pearl Harbor survivor Harold Johnson, 88. “They cheered us along like real heroes.”
No sooner did Johnson arrive home from his trip than three women from Oak Harbor had a chance to take their own trip. Eva Brown, 90, who was a WAVE, said it was a trip of a lifetime — one that all veterans should take.
“Every WWII vet has this privilege,” she said. “There’s a lot of veterans just like we were who feel like they’re too old and not able to go, but they make such great arrangements for us.”
Honor Flight Network pays for the veteran’s trip. Each veteran is accompanied by a younger companion, called a guardian, who pays a modest fee to go along. Larry McKee went with Johnson, who joined up with a larger group in Washington, D.C. For veterans who don’t live within 120 miles of one of the existing hubs, like those here on Whidbey Island, the Southwest Airlines Lone Eagle Program helps fly veterans from Seattle to the nearest hub.
“It’s just a real neat thing,” said McKee. “Many people just came up and thanked the veterans for their service.”
Veterans are taken on a guided tour of all the war memorials in the city as well as Arlington National Cemetery.
“The WWII memorial was really fantastic,” Johnson said. “We spent three hours there. Next we went to the Korean War memorial and that was fantastic, too.”
At the Navy memorial, Johnson said he was able to put his story into the Navy logs, so now anyone can put in his name and bring it up on the screen.
Brown, who had been stationed in Washington, D.C. in 1945, said the city is nothing like it used to be.
“Where our temporary barracks were is now all park,” she said. “The high point of the trip was seeing the changing of the guards at Arlington Cemetery. I had seen it while I was stationed there, but I didn’t observe it like I did this time. It was very emotional.”
“It kinda gets you,” Johnson agreed. “I didn’t expect that, so it was a little bit of a shock, but I feel great.”
After a day of touring the memorials, Johnson said he had a chance to talk with other veterans that evening.
“We sat around and told sea stories,” he said. “It was quite a trip. Very rewarding.”
The Honor Flight Network gives top priority to WWII-era veterans or those who are terminally ill. According to the organization’s website, time is running out to express thanks to the men and women who served.
“When the WWII memorial was built, there were four million survivors; now it’s down to two million,” said McKee. “We’ve got to have a big push to get them back as soon as they can. It’s an unbelievable experience for anybody.”
The process can take some time, however, according to Brown.
“We signed up in September, 2011, and they contacted us this past September,” she said, urging everyone to try to sign up as soon as possible.
“We’ve got to spread the news,” Brown said. “Others don’t realize what a privilege it is and what they are missing. We’ll treasure this from now on.”
“I’d do it again if I had the chance,” said Johnson.
“It’s rather impressive from the moment you get on the plane to the moment you come back,” McKee said. “It’s a quick, rewarding trip. I hope to do it again.”
For more information or to sign up for an Honor Flight Network trip, go to www.honorflight.org. There are links for both veterans and guardians to follow to apply for the program.
