A few days ago my family had an incredible experience. We were in Washington, D.C. doing the whole tourist gig while traveling on a budget. We crammed so much in to the first two days. There is a lot to do in DC so we didn’t get to do everything on our list. We decided that before our 12:55 flight home that we would Uber a car to the Lincoln Memorial and then walk to the World War II memorial. It was at the World War II memorial where we met everyday heroes.
The park ranger told us there was about to be a special flag event and said we could clap along with everyone else. It was vague. We weren’t exactly sure what was happening, but we hung around. And I am so glad we did.
As we were walking around I spotted a man wearing a WWII Veteran hat. I whispered to my six year old and tugged on my husband’s coat and nodded in the gentleman’s direction. The world around us started to come in to focus rather than a sole focus on that one gentleman. We saw a stream of veterans from WWII walking to the memorial. We joined the bikers (wearing leather Harley Davidson vests) and welcomed each of the WWII vets to the memorial. We shook their hands and said thank you for your service. We told them to have a great day.
My first grader is six-years-old and my third grader just turned eight. They cannot grasp that they shook the hands of history today. This experience will have an impact on them one day when they learn and relearn about America’s history. My six-year-old will remember the WWII vet who kissed her hand and told her she was beautiful. My eight year old will remember the stream of grandpa-like veterans who tried to warm up her hands (it was 56 degrees and windy). They will never forget this event, even if they do not know just how important those men and two women are to the history of the world.
As for me, I knew how important it was to look these soldiers in the eyes and show them my sincere gratitude for a war that happened decades before I was born. There were tears in the corners of my eyes as I did so. When the national anthem was sung those tears spilled from my eyes.
We saw history with our own eyes. Living, breathing history.
History lives in our family too. My brother was a marine who was deployed to Afghanistan 3 times. During his third deployment he was in an explosion that ultimately earned him a Purple Heart. He was medically retired from the military before he was 30 years old.
Our soldiers are due endless rounds of gratitude.
While we were talking with the park ranger he mentioned that the WWII veterans were part of the Hero flight/Honor Flight program. It is one that you should know about. The goal is to get all the WWII vets to Washington, D.C. to see the WWII monument at no cost to them. There are more soldiers than there are funds. That means that donations from people like us will help this campaign reach even more soldiers who are on the wait list. Combine the wait list with old age, and many of these veterans will be unable to see this amazing memorial that pays tribute to them and their fallen comrades.
At the present time, we have over 16,000 World War II veterans on our national waiting list and thousands more who will apply this year. It is doubtful that we will get to every deserving veteran in time. Hundreds of World War II veterans have passed away while patiently waiting their turn. Hundreds more will not live long enough to visit their precious memorial.
I didn’t step out of the moment while we were shaking hands to snap photos. That thought didn’t occur to me. The only thing I could think was to be amazed that my US History book was alive in front of my eyes.
If you have the chance to visit Washington, D.C. In the next 7 to 10 years check out the Honor Flight website to see if they are paying tribute while you are there. I urge you to go and meet these people if your paths ever cross. You may find yourself filled with gratitude and with tears in your eyes too.
Our family will make a donation to this foundation. Washington DC is a place that everyone should have the chance to visit, especially people who fought for our freedom.
Do you have a favorite place to visit?
Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more