Welcome home WWII vets

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
CLEARWATER, Fla. --  As the World War II veterans shuffled down the red carpet laid before them at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, their eyes widened, then got misty at the sight of the welcoming crowd there to greet them, Sept. 18.

Among the crowd were several young Airmen from MacDill, and Col. Scott DeThomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, to welcome home the veterans of a war that ended long before the young Airmen were born.

"I felt fantastic. I would have never thought a large crowd like this would come out," said Raybern Perry, a WWII veteran that enlisted in the Navy at age 17.

The seventh flight of Honor Flight of West Central Florida shuttled 77 veterans to Washington, D.C., something the group has done for 466 veterans to date. The trips allow veterans to visit the Washington memorials-- where they can reflect upon their history, their service and fellow service members who didn't come home.

The WWII veterans fought the largest, most widespread war in the world's history. An estimate of 40 to 65 million people died and hundreds of millions were physically and mentally wounded. According to the Honor Flight Network website, the WWII veteran survivors are passing away at a rate more than 900 a day and many have never seen the WWII monument.

Members of the welcoming crowd also experienced an awe moment as they got an opportunity to do what most will only be able to read about, to meet face-to-face and talk with a living monument-- these WWII veterans.

"My favorite part was seeing the faces of the first few men returning," said Senior Airman Jessica Kinser, 6th Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory technician. "I have a hard time putting into words how it made me feel. It was very humbling, and I was extremely honored to be a part of this. I will definitely be there at the next event."

The Honor Flight is always seeking volunteers and other support. Visist www.honorflightwcf.org.