National WW II Memorial: Get Your Veteran There

WWII Memorial Honors Veterans -- Photo by CK Wilde

By CK Wilde for 3GenFamily Blog

Everyone I told about our trip said, “Washington, D.C. is beautiful in October!”

It was one of those rare opportunities for a high school student — a four-day, all expense paid trip to attend a conference on open source software. But our son could not go alone, so I volunteered to go with him.

We spent most of our time engrossed in the collaborative world of global volunteers. They fervently believe that the software you run on your computer should be free. Now, this last day in Washington was ours to enjoy on our own.

Fortified with a hearty breakfast at the Waffle Shop, we planned to make good use of the three hours before our plane flight returned us to California. My son mapped out a walking tour that would take us to those monuments he most wanted to see. We set off in the direction of the Lincoln Memorial stopping briefly at the Washington Monument to grab a few photos.

A Surprise on Our Walking Tour of Washington

Nestled between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, we discovered the National World War II Memorial. Stately white pillars holding cast metal wreaths encircle fountains in a shallow pool in a graceful style evoking the 1940′s. I wondered why my parents had never mentioned its classic beauty. Mom often spoke about their trip in Washington, D.C.

With only two hours remaining before we had to depart, we quickly circled the sparkling fountains and headed for the Lincoln Memorial. After staring reverently at President Lincoln’s huge seated presence,  we looped around the other side of the Mall headed toward the White House.

As luck would have it, Washington, D.C. police were keeping everyone away from the front of the White House. The President was holding a press conference with the Italian Prime Minister in the Rose Garden. No one was allowed to cross the street. Standing back behind the sidewalk, we watched a motorcade of sleek black limos flying American and Italian flags speed down the street. Not something you see in Silicon Valley!

Unfortunately, waiting for that motorcade used up the last of our touring time. We hustled back to the hotel to check out and dash to the airport.

Hours later, while surfing the web back at home, I got my answer to my question about the World War II Memorial.  I found an article about the Honor Flight Network which recognizes the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans by flying them free of charge to visit there.

It turns out that the National World War II Memorial only opened to the public in 2004, eleven years after President Clinton signed Public Law 103-32, authorizing the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to establish a memorial in Washington, D.C.  The design was chosen in an open, national competition and the construction was funded primarily through private donations. Senator Bob Dole and Frederick Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of Federal Express, chaired the fund raising efforts.

This panoramic photo taken by Rick Latoff, courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission, gives you an idea of its size.

Even with color photos, it is still hard to capture just how beautiful the smooth white marble, majestic bronze sculpture, effervescent fountains and poignant inscriptions really are.

I wish my Dad could have seen it. In 2004, he still had the ability to walk modest distances. Although he was skeptical of government initiatives, even he would have been impressed with this tribute.

The memorial’s site planners recognized that the honorees might have limited mobility. They thoughtfully place the memorial right at curbside on 17th Street between Independence and Constitution Avenues.

Even so, it can be difficult for World War II veterans to make the trip to see the memorial. Now in their 80′s,  these valiant soldiers, sailors and pilots often need assistance to travel. Limited finances and lack of time prevent family members from traveling with these veterans to visit their memorial.

This is where the Honor Flight Network comes in.

In May of 2004, Earl Morse, a physician’s assistant, private airplane pilot and retired Air Force Captain was working at a Depatment of Veterans Affairs clinic in Ohio. Morse talked with the elderly veterans who came into the clinic about visiting the National World War II Memorial.

Of course, all of them wanted to visit it.

But by the Fall of 2004, Morse realized that most of his veterans would not achieve their goal to visit the memorial before they died. They were just not capable of making the trip on their own.

Morse wanted to recognize and thank these survivors for their service to our country. But, it rapidly became clear that one pilot with one plane would not be able to transport all of them. There were so many that wanted to go.

So he approached other pilots for help. What began in May 2005 as six small planes flying twelve happy veterans has expanded to 69 hubs in 30 states with an goal of flying 12,000 veterans to the National World War II Memorial in 2008. Through the generous donations of many individuals, all of those veterans have flown free of charge.

Right now, World War II vets and terminally ill veterans from any war have priority for flights. If you are caring for a veteran who would like to visit Washington, D.C. to see the memorial, you can download the application from this Honor Flight Network web page.

You can also volunteer to accompany a group of veterans as a guardian or to help with the work in the office or at the airport. Most of all, Honor Flight Network can use your tax deductible donations.

Tomorrow, November 11, is Veterans Day.

Many communities across the USA will host ceremonies honoring the accomplishments and sacrifice of our military men and women.  Even if there are none in your town, you can honor them by making a donation to the  Honor Flight Network.

And, if you are caring for a veteran, make that trip to D.C. You’ll be so glad you did.

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© 2008 CK Wilde. All Rights Reserved. Please feel free to link to this post but you must have prior written permission (please use the comments) to reproduce this post either whole or in part.