Walking with Heroes

Dear Darlings,

Last week I had the most incredible opportunity. Gary Sinise (he played Lt. Dan in Forest Gump) runs the Soaring Valor Foundation, and every year he takes a group of World War II vets to experience the WWII museum in New Orleans. This year they flew out of our sweet, little airport in Richmond. Our dignified transfer team was offered an extraordinary opportunity to help escort these heroes through the airport to their plane. I was as excited as a kid a Christmas as the weeks turned into days leading up to this event. When the day finally arrived I was giddy with excitement at the thought of being able to walk among this heroic generation.

The day far exceeded any expectations I had. I got to walk with heroes. I got to talk to these heroic men (and yes, there were many heroic women who were a huge part of WWII, but they weren’t represented among the Vets we sent off).

To begin the day, an Honor Guard from a local police department arrived and I was tasked with making sure they were photographed as they led the procession of Vets and their guardians.

Then I heard the roar of the motorcycles who were escorting the two buses full of history.

Following the police escort were a group of Vietnam Vets who were there to see their predecessors off. I was struck hard by the fact that these men, who were vilified upon their return from their war, were standing vigil and ensuring the WWII vets were taken care of as they were shuttled off on their travels.

And then came the excitement of watching these heroes coming off of their buses. I handed out American flags and took photos, taking in every minute of this brush with history. The first man I met fought in the Battle of the Bulge. The. Battle. Of. The. Bulge! Just let that sink in…

Everyone was shuttled in to the airport and gathered to process down to their gate.

It was at the gate that I actually got to look around and absorb the men in front of me. I met a man who was on Admiral Nimitz‘s staff. He was 98 years-old and this trip was his final wish. He said his only other wish in the world was to have an audience with the Pope, which he did and got to kiss his ring. He said, this trip topped kissing the Pope’s ring. He went on to say that he’s ready to go after this trip.

I watched a Marine sing the Marine Hymn as he walked the length of the terminal and got a picture with him kissing my head. He was aptly nicknamed Romeo.

But my absolute favorite part of the day was meeting a Tuskegee Airman named Thomas Newton and his son, Steve Carmack. Steve told me how hard it was to get information from his dad about his time in the war, and it wasn’t until Steve, himself served in the Air Force that his dad brought out a photo of him pictured among the 99th Fighter Squadron. The work he and all of those who served in the 99th did was more than fight for the freedom of so many who were being oppressed, but they also fought for to show the United States that they were capable to serve in the same capacity as their white counterparts. They went on to tell me about Eleanor Roosevelt’s support of the Tuskegee Airmen and how she was instrumental in helping get Black pilots in the air. I asked for a picture with Mr. Newton, who was in a wheelchair, and he cheerfully obliged. As I moved to stand behind him, he said, “No, I want to stand next to you.” I don’t think I’ve ever felt so humbled to be around another human being.

We sent them off through a hero’s water canon arch over their plane, and we welcomed them home the same way.

Upon their return I was able to talk to a few more of these men that we’re losing rapidly. I asked one man what he thought of his trip to New Orleans. He told me it was an amazing trip, but he got very emotional as he went through the museum. He told me through tears that he was in Okinawa for 21 months and that part of the museum really brought back memories. I didn’t press him for details. I just hugged him and thanked him for his service.