A Poignant Story About a WWII Veteran From This Weekend's Honor Flight Out of Texas

On Friday October 12, 2012 the tenth Honor Flight from Texas departed from DFW to Washington, DC.  On board were many of our incredible WWII Veterans and a group of amazing Volunteers.  Several friends of mine were volunteers on that flight.  Donna was a volunteer for a Marine, Mr. S.

There are so many stories about our WWII Veterans that go untold.  There are many WWII Veterans who would never have the opportunity to visit their Memorial and many of the other Memorials and Monuments in Washington, DC if not for the Honor Flight program.  I continue to be touched by stories I hear from my friends who volunteer on these honor flights.  Below is one of those stories that Donna shared and really touched me this weekend.  The italicized text below each photo tells this story.

God Bless these Veterans.

 

I met this Marine at the breakfast this a.m. at the airport and knew the trip was going to be awesome. I asked him if he had been to the Iwo Jima Monument. He has not but can't wait to get there. And he said, "I want to get a picture of  me lying down in front of it looking at the flag because that's how I saw it when it went up the first time." He paused and went on to say, "I saw it from a fox hole." I literally had chills go over my entire body. I promised him we would make that happen. I told two others who have cameras as well.
These men are incredible!!!

Mr. S wanted so badly to lie down in front of the memorial, looking at the flag because that is how he saw it go up as a young 18 year old.
Here he is attempting to get on the ground. It was to difficult for him so he decided to stand and look at it.  He is not being neglected here, but very respected as he wanted to try and do this on his own. When he realized he couldn't, Joe and the young Marine helped him up.

Here is Mr. S. remembering the day he saw the flag hoisted. He was 18 years old.