Donald Chaplin was flying a P-38 Lightning when it was shot down in 1943 in World War II.
He was captured and held as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 3 in Germany.
He was liberated one year later by none other than Gen. George Patton.
After the end of World War II, Chaplin went on to serve in Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the Air Force in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel.
Dementia has robbed the 93-year-old Freedom Pointe resident of much of his memory, according to his wife, Carol who lives in Villa St. Simons.
But something stirred in him Friday morning at the ceremony in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day at Veterans Memorial Park of The Villages.
Perhaps it was the music, the flag or the pageantry, but Chaplin, who relies on a wheelchair to get around, stood and saluted. And stood. And stood.
“He stood for nearly 20 minutes,” said his wife. “It was amazing. I could hardly believe it.”
Wayne Brown of the Village of Santo Domingo gave the Chaplins a lift to the ceremony.
“It was kind of a last minute thing,” said Brown, who is active in the Military Officers Association of America. “I knew she would need help with him and they probably wouldn’t go otherwise.”
Brown and Chaplin had already discovered they had something in common. Brown’s uncle had also been a World War II POW in Stalag Luft 3.
Brown was thrilled he had made the offer to give them a ride. He was honored to see Chaplin’s patriotic spirit burning brightly, despite the dementia that has made life so difficult for him.
After the ceremony, many people approached the retired warrior eager to speak with him, Brown said.
“It was remarkable,” he added.
Brown has been seeking out 90+ retired military officers recently on behalf of MOAA.
You can learn more about the chapter at the link below:
http://www.lakesumtermoaa.org/
