Members of the American Legion Post #347 Honor Guard were out in force Thursday night, displaying many flags to welcome 25 World War II veterans and their guardians home from their September Honor Flight. To these guardsmen, no matter how many times they participate in Honor Flight ceremonies, it is always special to be able to give the World War II veterans the patriotic welcome home few if any of them received at the end of their military service.
A war weary America struggled to keep its industry and economy afloat as World War II veterans came home in 1945. Many servicemen and women quietly rejoined their families and went right back to work without recognition or fanfare. Finally, through the auspices of the Honor Flight organization, plus an outpouring of community support, these soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are now given the respect and celebration they so richly deserve.
The party started around 9 p.m. Thursday night as hundreds of area residents came out cheer the veteran group. The crowd was entertained by Scooter and the DJ, a large group of Villages Cheerleaders, the Villages Twirlers and Drum Corps., and a number of colorfully costumed characters from Clown Alley #179. Around 11:30 p.m., sirens blared, and dozens of motorcycles roared as the convoy carrying the veterans arrived from Orlando Airport. Several firetrucks were in attendance, and one welcomed the bus with a water cannon arch.
Most of the Honor Flight veterans walked gingerly off their bus after a long day of travel.
The long day began around 2 a.m. Thursday morning, with a flight to Washington, DC. The elderly veteran group visited the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials; saw other key landmarks and even spent a little time on the mall. One amazing experience was watching the Washington D.C. Park Police in action. Capital traffic is always horrendous, and the park police are able to get things moving quickly when needed, like the parting of the Red Sea.
Each veteran was seated outside the American Legion post by his or her assigned number for the day — one through 25 to enjoy the ceremonies. Their names were read by five-person squad — first the blue squad; then the green, the orange, the red and the yellow — as the audience cheered. All through the day, the veterans numbers facilitated the difficult logistics involved with moving a group this large around a crowded city.
After patriotic music, taps for the fallen, and tributes, the group was asked to do one final ‘shout out’ for the night. Starting with number one, each veteran and guardian yelled out their numbers in order.
“We are all tired, of course,” said Navy Wave Eleanor Koppsel, “but this was a very special day — and the weather in Washington was nice and cool. I’m
Navy Wave Eleanor Koppsel and Navy Veteran John Rehfus had a memorable day.
so glad we did this.” Seated next to Koppsel, John Rehfus, also a Navy veteran, agreed. “This was wonderful,” he said. Cheerleader Sylvia Wagner, who lives at Freedom Pointe, greeted her neighbor, Jack Lewis, who served in both the Merchant Marines and the Air Force.
Lewis’ guardian, Dan Boone, said it was a great experience for everyone.
“We will all sleep in tomorrow morning,” Boone said, “but we will remember this trip for the rest of our lives.”
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