World War II Vets Come Home... Again!

World War II Vets Come Home…Again!

Saturday, September 26th, 80 World War II veterans and their assigned guardian volunteers returned home from a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C. It was a long day for the Vets as they arrived at General Mitchell International Airport a bit late from their Air Tran flight after spending a very rainy and cool, but glorious day at the nation’s capitol. Veterans visited the World War II Memorial, paid tribute to fallen comrades by laying a wreath in Arlington National Cemetery after seeing the Changing of the Guard, and saw the Iwo Jima Memorial. One returning veteran, Captain Robert Kujawski, Sr., was my father.

Anticipation for this event started months or maybe years ago when they or family members filled out the application for them to go on an Honor Flight. The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight organization’s mission is to fly WWII veterans and terminally ill veterans from other wars to see their memorials in Washington DC. They also work closely with Wisconsin schools to incorporate heroic stories of our veterans into school programs so that future generations will fully appreciate the many sacrifices that have been made on their behalf. This organization is a well-run machine that pays tribute to the last of a dying generation of Veterans and will continue on to get Korean and Vietnam Vets to see the memorials that have been constructed in their honor.

I had the privilege of filling out an application for my dad, Captain Kujawski, who served during World War II. I had heard about the Honor’s Flight while watching a news show a few years ago. I quickly got online and looked up the organization, and asked my dad if he would be interested in going. At that time he was a mere 91, and he was more than ready to have me sign him up for the flight. Then we waited and waited. Occasionally, he would call up and ask where he was on the list and finally this summer at 93 and a half years old was told that he had a pretty good chance to go this fall. When he received the phone call that he was accepted on the September 26th flight, he couldn’t believe in a short 6 weeks he would be flying.

During the last few weeks, I had been assigned to search the attic for old uniforms and World War II memorabilia. The Honor Flight program sends the vets matching shirts to wear on the trip, but encourages the men to wear parts or all of their old uniforms. They also send a detailed set of instructions and activities so that the veterans know exactly what they’re getting into when they “ship out” unlike the marching orders they received so many years ago. The day finally arrived and we got dad to the airport at 6 a.m. A huge banner was near Concourse C, and the day they had waited so long for was finally here. A choir was there for the big send off, and they were assigned groups and volunteers to help them along the way.

They were greeted by Senators Elizabeth and Robert Dole in Washington, DC who, I was told, were the most wonderful and genuine people. Every Saturday they honor vets by greeting them and having their pictures taken with them. Group pictures were taken of the men, and the volunteers helped take many pictures for them as well. “It couldn’t have been better,” Dad said. We aren’t sure if it was the camaraderie, his DC volunteer (and new best friend) or the fact that Elizabeth Dole hugged him.

Many surprises were given to the men along the way, which made the flight even more special. When arriving at the airport to pick dad up, we brought banners and balloons to welcome them home. TV stations sent reporters with cameras, flags were every where and the crowd of family members was huge. These men were greeted by a wonderful homecoming of people that reached out hands to say “Thank you for serving our country” or hands that clapped in appreciation or waved flags. Tears were streaming down many of these vets’ faces as they came through the processional.

One of the volunteers said how this trip “will add years to their lives” because it seems that they come back younger than when they left. Other volunteers commented on how rowdy the men on the flight became. We’re pretty sure the volume increase was a day’s dose of the fountain of youth instead of dying hearing aid batteries. Picking him up with my daughters and mother, we noticed how he seemed as spry as a 75-year-old despite his tears at the appreciative comments and handshakes he received.

If you have any family member that served during World War II that would like to sign up for this wonderful experience, I encourage you to sign up immediately. Korean or Vietnam Vets who are terminally ill are encouraged to apply also. One of the men in line who was going said he had been in La Crosse, WI a few weekends ago and there was a reunion of submarine vets from World War II. Two hundred men showed up for the reunion which was down from 2,000 people the year before. The numbers are going down daily, so don’t hesitate to sign up! It is a day they will always remember.