Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Charity Edgar | Capt. Mary Nadolny, assigned to Fleet Forces, shares a moment with World War II...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON - Fifty World War II veterans arrived at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Sept 7 - almost 70 years to the day after Japan surrendered aboard the USS Missouri.
Made possible by the Southwest Florida Honor Flight hub, the members of the “greatest generation” were in D.C. to visit the memorial built in their honor. They were received at the gate by several reserve engineering duty officers.
After greeting the veterans at the airport, the Sailors spent the day with them visiting several monuments including the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Arlington National Cemetery was another stop on the itinerary, where they observed a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The highlight of the day for the veterans was visiting the World War II Memorial that was constructed just over a decade ago.
World War II Navy veteran Robert Rosas, also a former engineer duty officer, has honored his naval heritage since he discharged in 1944. Years after he served aboard the Fletcher-class destroyer, USS Hailey (DD-556), he made a point of visiting it while it was on loan to Brazil.
“The Navy was and always will be important to me,” said former Lt.j.g. Rosas.
The Marine Corps War Memorial, which depicts the famous image of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, offered a special interaction for a former Army nurse Capt., Alyce Kobzina. Lisa Osborne, a fellow military nurse, was promoted to the rank of Navy captain as the veterans looked on. Osborne serves at the Uniformed Services University. Navy Capt. Mary Nadolny, who is attached to Fleet Forces, administered the ceremony’s oath of office. Nadolny expressed her appreciation to Kobzina for paving the way for women in the military.
“Thank you for making this promotion possible,” said Nadolny.
Lt. Cmdr. Katarzyna Wyrozebski, assigned to SurgeMain Cincinnati, began coordinating honor flight volunteering efforts after watching the documentary, “Honor Flight the Movie.” She wanted to get involved right away.
“The war they served in threatened our existence,” said Wyrozebski. "It’s time to say thank you.”
Sailors volunteer regularly with the honor flights, assisting with wheelchairs, distributing meals, and interacting with the veterans. Lt. Cmdr. Barry Lu, assigned to OPNAV N9, Warfare Systems, looks forward to volunteering because he believes it is important to support the community, and veterans in particular.
“History is important for the naval community now, and in the future. We get the best history not from reading books, but by meeting and talking to these veterans,” said Lu.
The Honor Flight Network strives to transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. At the end of 2012, the Honor Flight Network had transported more than 98,500 veterans to Washington, D.C. The program presently has 127 hubs in 41 states.
To learn more about the Honor Flight Network and volunteering opportunities, visit www.honorflight.org.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2013 23:34 |
| Story ID: | 113419 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 368 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sailors honor heritage by volunteering for honor flight, by LCDR Charity Edgar, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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