It was late in the afternoon, standing with my wife in Section 60 at Arlington National cemetery.
As we looked out over the headstones of our heroes buried there, 143 veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and their family members were behind us. Thoughts raced through my mind; I wondered why these elderly men and women would want to be here. But this was part of their Honor Flight, a three-day experience to see the monuments dedicated to them for their service and sacrifice.
More than 40 were in wheelchairs, unable to walk due to their advanced age, yet they demanded to be pushed onto the grass so they could embrace those around them. Then, out of nowhere, they began singing. It was like a tsunami rising from the ocean: sudden, swelling and without warning. The words of “Amazing Grace” came from their lips in unison in tribute to our son and the others buried there.
That is when I got it. I finally got it—why the Honor Flight trips are so important to them. It is their final opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be honored, to see their monuments and to honor their fallen brothers and sisters in arms. Yes, standing there, with the wave of voices at my back, I got it.
Battle Buddies
When WWII ended, the Greatest Generation simply went back to work. The farmers, tradesmen and retailers who made up our military returned to civilian life. There were no thoughts about building statues or memorials in their honor. It was simply a time to put down their arms and get on with life. That is, for those who returned.
So many lost their lives during that conflict, yet it took us 59 years from the conclusion of the war to build the National World War II Memorial in 2004. It was 59 years late, with too many having passed without the opportunity to visit, heal wounds and be with comrades again. Today, more than 600 WWII veterans die every day, never having the opportunity to see their great memorials and heal some of those wounds.
The Texas Permian Basin Honor Flight was formed in 2013 to ensure every local veteran had the chance to visit with their comrades. On Sept. 17, we flew 143 passengers to Washington, D.C., for three days and two nights. All costs were paid via the local community. Businesses raised funds at stores, including our 7-Elevens selling placards for $1 each. Businesses donated individual checks, people bought raffle tickets and volunteers spent hundreds of hours knocking on doors.
We were successful. The community rallied and veterans of WWII, Korea, the Cold War and Vietnam beamed from ear to ear as they boarded the Southwest Airlines Honor Flight plane early that September morning.
With a stop at the WWII Memorial, tears flowed freely. Comrades who had never met before suddenly became long-lost battle buddies. Shouts of “Hey Marine” and “Hey Army” rang out as they gathered together. Family members accompanying as guardians broke down in tears as they heard their fathers, mothers and grandfathers finally unleash for the first time those pent-up emotions, fears and frustrations. It was a time to heal. It was a time to remember, and for each of us to reflect on those sacrifices.
Other stops included the Washington Monument, Korean War Memorial, and Marine and Navy Memorials. At the Vietnam Memorial, often referred to as “The Wall,” visitors shook the hands of our Vietnam veterans and said, “Welcome home.” That’s a far cry from when these returning heroes were treated like outcasts. Fellow soldiers touched the names of those they left behind, and people made rubbings of those fallen from our local area. Flags were left for each of the area’s fallen, a solemn and fitting tribute.
Sloan Gibson, deputy secretary of veterans affairs, met with us for dinner one evening. He is the former CEO of the USO, a company we worked with through BIC Corp. to implement a special-edition Support the Troops lighter. In an amazing coincidence, his father flew with the same air crew as one of our honored veterans, and they had the opportunity to talk all evening about it. It was a highlight for the veteran, who eventually had to take a moment when those memories revived for him the horrors of war.
A Sense of Urgency
The goal of the Honor Flight program is simple: Honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. It is best to add the caveat “before it is too late.” Our goal in sponsoring this trip was simply to give our heroes a chance to gather and share in the place that pays tribute to their honorable service. Sadly, we lost four local WWII veterans from the time we began making preparations until the time we actually made the trip. For them, it was too late. We cannot be too late again, which is why this local chapter is doubling down its fundraising efforts to make two trips in 2015. Honor Flights across the nation continue to work every day toward the goal of transporting and honoring these heroes.
Words cannot describe what it means to see the smiling faces, the tears shed when memories—long stowed away—were finally unleashed, the clapping from total strangers wherever these heroes arrived, this sense of honor and gratitude. Supporting these flights requires an investment to make it happen. These men and women never hesitated to make sacrifices. We should not either, before it is too late.
John West is vice president of retail marketing for Alon Brands Retail, Odessa, Texas. His son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt West, was killed in a roadside bombing attack in Afghanistan in 2010. Reach John at jwest@scstores.com.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.