Applause, handshakes, hugs, kisses and thanks.
Everywhere a group of 26 Bay Area World War II veterans went on a special trip to Washington, D.C. Sept. 16-18, they were overwhelmed by the response they received.
The Honor Flight Network is a national organization that sends World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. at no cost to the veteran, where they receive guided tours of the National World War II Memorial and other memorial sights in the city.
The trip was the inaugural flight for the new San Jose hub, which opened this past April.
United Service Organizations representatives held banners and cheered while bobby soxers danced the Jitterbug in the airport when the veterans arrived.
“All of our 25 gentlemen and our one lady Marine had the time of their lives,” said Connie Johnson of the Honor Flight Network. “There were tears as memories flooded back. There was recognition of the struggles they had all gone through and resultant bonding. There was closure on a difficult time in their lives.”
Johnson said the veterans all commented on the response they received from people everywhere they went.
“They felt overwhelmed and somewhat embarrassed by all that attention, but really loved it,” Johnson said. “I personally felt thrilled and honored to be part of a group of such wonderful people who made such a difference for all of us. Truly, these folks are part of the greatest generation.”
Veterans were given matching shirts featuring the Golden Gate Bridge to wear on their guided tours. Over three days, the veterans got to see the World War II Memorial, Marine Corps Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Air Force Memorial, Women in Military Service to America Memorial and the Naval Memorial.
Richard Bryant was only 18 when he joined the World War II effort.
The Iowa native was a signalman with the Navy Armed Guard, and despite the constant danger of enemy submarines and aircraft, he only heard of one ship ever going down in all his trips bringing general supplies from New York to England.
The 93-year-old retired safety engineer who has called Sunnyvale home for the past 50 years finally got to see the World War II memorial for the first time this month.
“It was really impressive,” Bryant said. “It was an honor to have been selected to go. The reception we got at both airports I just couldn’t believe. The organization did a terrific job.”
The final night before the veterans departed they received a special mail package containing “thank you” letters from their family members, and local school children from their communities.
For Lester Sites, 93 also of Sunnyvale, receiving letters from his grandchildren who are scattered across the U.S. was an incredible surprise.
“It was a remarkable experience,” said Sites, who served in the Navy Construction Battalion during the war. “All of the services were represented, except for the Coast Guard. I was the only CB in the group, but the Navy was heavily represented. That was special for me, sort of a thing of pride.”
Sites served primarily in New Guinea during the war, setting up military facilities and roads and maintaining electricity and telephones for the troops.
The most memorable moment for Sites was the huge welcome and send off by so many appreciative people.
“I was overwhelmed,” Sites said as tears swelled in his eyes. “I’ve never seen so much applause that was all for us. That was a new experience for me.”
Since 2005, Honor Flight has sent more than 98,500 veterans to Washington, D.C. The program currently has 127 hubs in 41 states.
To make a financial donation, visit honorflight.org. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information, visit honorflightbayarea.org or call 408.925.1999.
