Airmen interact with yesterdays military

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Anastasia Wasem and Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing public affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  One after another, 96 World War II veterans from the Red River Valley region stepped off a bus at Grand Forks International Airport on their way to Washington, D.C., April 17. They were greeted by Col. John Michel, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander; Chief Master Sgt. Scott Fuller, 319 ARW command chief; other members of Grand Forks AFB; Brig. Gen. Al Palmer, chief of staff North Dakota Air Guard, Fargo, N.D.; Minnesota and North Dakota Patriot Guard and other well-wishers who helped them with their bags, pointed them toward the gate and wished them a great time on what is known as The Northern Valley Honor Flight.

The honor flight is a nation-wide event, but North Dakota is leading the other 49 states in honoring war heroes for their sacrifices. When California sends their first scheduled flight, North Dakota will have sent six groups of veterans to the nation's capital.

"It's our chance to send our World War II veterans to see their memorial," said Barb Zavala, the Grand Forks county veterans service officer, who is a veteran herself. "It's also a chance to show them the appreciation they never really received when they returned from the war. These veterans fought the evil of their time, not unlike we fight now." She added, "It's important to have the members of the base here because I think they'll be so appreciative to spend this little bit of time to talk with and help those who came before them. For the veterans, it will be so rewarding to have a current military member see them off."

In true military style, the event organizers recalled the attendees to "active duty" last week in preparation for the trip. Dog tags were made and distributed, and prior to the flight, the veterans processed through what many Air Force members today may recognize as a mock deployment line.

As they arrived to the airport, the busses that carried the participants were escorted by an entourage of motorcycles with American flags waving behind them.

As the honored men and women stepped off the bus, wearing Honor Flight baseball caps and T-shirts, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War caps adorned with pins signifying years served and units that they will always remain with, the Patriot Guard lined the sidewalk. Airmen greeted them, shook their hands and took their bags. Together, past and present walked through the doors.

"I love history and have been studying World War II for years," Staff Sgt. Susanne Matthews, 319th Maintenance Squadron, began. "This is the pinnacle of my career. I heard a story of a man who served in the Pacific Theater. He was shot in the foot, went to medical, went back on the line and was shot again. His name is Joe Tholkes. He was a staff sergeant in the Army; a radio man. I talked to another man who was in a foxhole with three other men. It was mortared, and he was the only one to survive. I didn't catch his name, but I know his face."

The sergeant continued, "This is an unbelievable experience. I'm humbled by it. I'm really nervous and excited. I've been excited about it all week. These are really great men who need to be honored," she said sincerely.

"I'm humbled beyond words," said Louis Gelen, a World War II veteran from Crookston, Minn. "For one thing, I didn't expect it; for another, I have very mixed emotions as to why I should be going when there are so many others."

Mr. Gelen, whose emotion showed on his face, did admit he was looking forward to getting an overall picture of what the country has done to honor veterans at a national level.

Allen Pederson, an Army veteran, felt more nostalgic about the upcoming visit.

"Well, it's a good chance to review the situations of World War II," he said. "We really have an appreciation of the time. I served in North Africa, the Italian campaign, the Philippines and Japan."

He continued to recollect the time ...

"I was at Florence all winter of '44 and '45 for the battle of Apennines." Mr. Pederson explained that retired Sen. Bob Dole was wounded during his time in Italy, and that Senator Dole was only a few miles from his location.

The senator plays special role in the Honor Flight Network. Not only was he the national chairman of the National World War II Memorial, he also meets every Honor Flight attendee at the site where their sacrifices are commemorated.

"I'd like to meet Senator Dole," Mr. Pederson added. "He's kind of the founder of this." The proud veteran also mentioned that in just a short time, he'll be celebrating the anniversary of when he left and returned from the war, April 29.

And soon enough, a little more than 36 hours later, the veterans were back on the ground in North Dakota after meeting the senator, seeing the World War II memorial, the Women in Military Service for America memorial and so much more Washington, D.C., had to offer. The intense amount of emotion could be seen on everyone's face as the veterans exited the terminal and arrived back home April 18.

The veterans were greeted with cheers, banners, signs and even some tears.

Besides proudly donning new Northern Valley Honor Flight shirts and smiles, some vets even wore authentic World War II uniforms. Vance Rambeck, who had been an Army sergeant during his time in the service, was wearing his original Class A uniform in honor of this event.

"The World War II memorial was great. I've never been to D.C. before and seeing all the memorials and getting together with everyone was great," said Mr. Rambeck.

The veterans made their way through the airport amidst cheers and boarded busses toward a downtown celebration, followed closely behind, again, by a parade of motorcycles from the Patriot Guard.

Moments later, the busses arrived at Sharon Lutheran Church for a planned reception. The Honor Flight participants walked into the building and were greeted by Boy Scouts, the University of North Dakota band and numerous family members and friends while being escorted by Warriors of the North.

"I admire these people," commented Airman 1st Class Edgar Nunez, 319th Communication Squadron. "They sacrificed a lot through the depression and World War II. They're role models for us to follow."

The airman was far from alone in his sentiments.

"I enjoy being able to interact with the veterans that served before us," added Capt. Aarti Puri, 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "They helped pave the way for all of us."

Colonel Michel spoke to the crowd of military and civilian; young and not so young.

"What an incredible 36 hours," said the colonel to his attentive audience. "But more important is the incredible lives. No wonder you are the greatest generation."

Colonel Michel then came to attention, gave a well deserved salute to the veterans and officially dismissed them.

"The trip was very well done," said Navy veteran Keith Junge of Detroit Lakes, Minn. "The community did a fantastic job; everybody did. It's an experience that I will never forget."

"I feel greatly honored just to be here," said Airman 1st Class Titus Keim, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "This is the highlight of my life. This is the reason I joined the military, and it's awesome to be a part of it."


Volunteers:
Master Sgt. Fred Wetzel (319th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant)
Tech. Sgt. Gary Duffield (319 MXS)
Master Sgt. Mark Koch (319 MXS)
Tech. Sgt. Robert Becker (319 MXS)
Staff Sgt. Britt Jones (319 MXS)
Staff Sgt. Tracy Stuart (319 MXS)
Airman Travis Wiskur (319 MXS)
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Mueller (319th Medical Group)
Senior Master Sgt. David Faber (319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron) (Bus driver)
Staff Sgt. Brian Ramos (319 MXS)
Airman 1st Class Jill Hayes (319 MXS)
Master Sgt. James Moe (319 MXS)
Staff Sgt. Travis Glick (319th Air Refueling Wing)
Staff Sgt. Suzanne Mathews (319 MXS)
Staff Sgt. Michael Hook (319th Logistics Readiness Squadron)
Master Sgt. Brooke Boyd (319th Contracting Squadron)
Airman 1st Class Titus Keim (319 LRS)
Master Sgt. Michael Sheldon (905th Air Refueling Squadron)
Staff Sgt. Nicholas Pompey (319 LRS)
Senior Airman Joseph Elijah (319th Force Support Squadron)
Staff Sgt. Elaina Arpino (319 MXS)
Airman 1st Class Edgar Nunez (319th Communications Squadron)
Airman 1st Class Alexander Weaver (319 CS)
Airman 1st Class Joseph Washington (319th Medical Operations Squadron)
Staff Sgt. Michael Powers (319 AMXS)
Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Jordan (319th Operations Support Squadron)
Senior Airman Edith Lozano (319th Medical Support Squadron)
Master Sgt. Todd Mitchell (319 MDOS)
Airman 1st Class Dominic Streeter (319 ARW)
Senior Airman Joshua Barker (319th Security Forces Squadron)
Tech. Sgt. Jarrod Majors (319 SFS)
Master Sgt. Robert Warner (319 LRS)
Tech. Sgt. Stephen Scofield (319th Maintenance Operations Squadron)
Airman 1st Class Ashleigh Turcotte (319 SFS)
Capt. Aarti Puri (319 AMXS)
Airman 1st Class Kylephillip Wintjen (319 MXS)
2nd Lt. Brandon Rodts (319 MXS)
2nd Lt. Jon Barnes (319 CS)
Capt. John Lane (319 MDSS)
1st Lt. Kimberly Price (319 MDSS)