Villages Honor Flight taking World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Wednesday. Their bus will leave for their Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando International Airport in the wee hours of the morning. They will spend their entire day traversing military monuments in Washington, D.C. For some of the veterans, this will be their first tour of our nation’s capital — but for all, it will be a memorable trip.
Depending on airline schedules and Atlantic coast weather, the group’s bus, with its police escort, joined by members of The Villages Nomads on their motorcycles, will head back to the Lady Lake American Legion Post #347 off County Road 466 and Rolling Acres Road. The public is encouraged to come out starting around 9:30 p.m. to be part of the welcome home party.
The Village Cheerleaders, The Villages Twirlers and Drum Corps. and DJ Ralph DiNome, along with other volunteer vocalists and members of Clown Alley #179 come out to entertain the Honor Flight welcoming crowds. The sirens signal the arrival of the veterans’ bus.
The Villages Public Safety Department firetrucks shoot a water arch over the bus to honor the veterans. Everyone waves an American flag — and the veterans are welcomed home warmly — with patriotic music and hugs — something that seldom happened when they returned home after World War II.
Mary Ann Higgs will serve as guardian for Clermont veteran, Blaine Daniels, 90, who travels with his daughter, Bernice. Daniels spent 22 years in the Navy, signing up at age 17 as part of what is nicknamed the “baby crews.” He served as a Medic in three wars — World War II, Korea and Vietnam — rescuing downed pilots and crew members.
“He was born in the hills of Kentucky,” his daughter said, “and with the U.S. Navy, he’s served all over the world.
El Santiago Villager and World War II combat veteran, Vince Amoroso, who will turn 91 the day of the Honor Flight, will travel to Washington with friend/guardian, George Frangos. Amoroso served as a radioman and B-24 bomber gunner for the Army Air Corps before it morphed into the U.S. Air Force after the war.
“The Redtails provided cover for our bombers,” he said, referring to Dan Keel, a 92-year-old Tuskegee Airman from Clermont, who will also be aboard the Honor Flight. The main mission of the Tuskegee Airmen group of African American pilots, nicknamed Redtails, was to deflect enemy fighter plane fire away from U.S. aircraft delivering bombs.
Hoosier State born World War II veteran, “Tex” Schooley lost his first wife to Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS); and after years of friendship, he and next door neighbor, Barbara Lewiski, became life partners.
“We live next to one another, and do almost everything together,” Lewiski, who at a very active 70 is nearly 20 years younger than “Tex.” “We became best friends first before we became partners, which is a good thing.” Tex will turn 90 on Sept. 9.
Schooley began in the Army infantry, then transferred to the artillery. His clearest memory from the war is helping people in a displaced persons camp in Cologne, Germany. He recalls a prisoner of war telling him “Americans are not mean enough to the enemy,” — and he found that prisoner had escaped the next morning near Munich, Germany.
Honor flight volunteers, Gregory and Betsy Wright, were present at a Purple Squad preparatory breakfast meeting at Perkin’s restaurant this month.
“A lot of veterans don’t talk a lot about their war experiences to their own families,” Betsy said, “but here among Honor Flight people, they seem to open up and share their stories with their guardians and other vets. There seems to be a comfort level.”
“These World War II veterans tend to be humble guys and gals,” said Gregory, who has been a guardian on five Honor Flights. “Ninety percent won’t even tell you the awards and medals they received without being prodded. Participating in an Honor Flight is a good way to get to really know these veterans and their backgrounds. After the flights, we stay in touch.”
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