PHOTOS: Eastern Iowa World War II veterans take an unforgettable tour in DC

Posted on Nov 10, 2009 by Admin.

Dan Bubon of Cedar Rapids wheels World War II veteran Bert Coleman of Marion around the World War II memorial Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

A surprise crowd of soldiers and community members waved American flags and roared with applause as about 75 Eastern Iowa World War II veterans walked off the plane here on their way to the monument dedicated to their service.

Tuesday’s greeting was the first time some veterans had been thanked for serving their country.

“It made me feel like they really believed in us and were really grateful to us,” Army veteran Arley Blankenburg, 87, of Marion, said.

Blakenburg and the others were in the nation’s capital courtesy of the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit group that raises money to take veterans on an unforgettable tour of the World War II Memorial and other monuments honoring America’s soldiers.

For decades, no monument paid tribute specifically to World War II veterans. A major push by well-known political leaders including former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., eventually created enough momentum to build the tribute to America’s war heroes. The goal of the Honor Flight organization is to allow as many veterans as possible to visit the monument.

The day started with a sleepy silence. Veterans left Cedar Rapids at 4 a.m., boarded a bus and rode to the Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill, where they met up with a group of about 75 veterans from Illinois before flying to Washington.

Few members of the Eastern Iowa group expressed emotion when they arrived at the World War II monument hours later. Instead, they appeared comforted and in awe of the place dedicated to their service and sacrifice.

“I really didn’t know what to expect,” Navy veteran Leo Greco, 88, of Cedar Rapids, said. “It’s so good, you just have to see it to believe it.”

A wall of 4,000 gold stars symbolizes all of the lives lost during the war. Each star represents 100 soldiers. More than 400,000 people sacrificed their lives to preserve and protect America’s freedom during World War II.

Most of the veterans did not know each other before Tuesday’s trip. But they were soon speaking like old friends, reminiscing about sharing experiences few others would understand.

“We all feel some camaraderie from being together in the war. This is kind of a reminder of all those experiences,” Navy veteran Robert Zink, 85, of Cedar Rapids, said.

No one discussed the horrific parts of the war for more than a few moments. They preferred to spend the day smiling, rather than shedding tears for their fellow fallen soldiers.

Many of the veterans had heard about the World War II Memorial. Some have seen pictures or video. Most never expected to visit the site.

“The monuments are just out of this world,” said Navy veteran Ray Overman, 83, of Mount Vernon. “It’s something I’d never see or understand unless I came here.”

The group also visited the Air Force, Iwo Jima, Vietnam and Lincoln memorials and Arlington National Cemetery.

Seeing the Iwo Jima Memorial was especially emotional for Richard Schafer, 86, of Cedar Rapids, who served in the Marines.

“It was very touching to see it,” Schafer said. “It was one of the greatest and bloodiest battles we’ve ever won.”

By the end of the evening, a few veterans fell asleep on the bus back to the airport. Most remained energized and excited to swap stories with their new friends. Faded memories from long ago came back into focus.

Other area veterans may enjoy the same experience.

Organizers are attempting to get enough people interested to fill up an entire plane with only Cedar Rapids area veterans on another “honor flight” next year

Time is running out, though. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 900 World War II veterans die every day.