A gray sky and drizzling rain did not dampen the mood among the South Florida veterans who recently toured the Washington, D.C., memorials built in their honor.
Friendships rekindled and the solidarity of being brothers-in-arms long ago carried the day for the 76 World War II and two Korean War veterans who took part in Honor Flight South Florida’s day trip from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Honor Flight is a volunteer organization that sponsors free trips for aging veterans to visit the war memorials. The trip included guardians for each veteran, wheelchairs and emergency medical staff totaling about 175 people.
Proudly wearing caps and sweaters that declared which branch of the armed forces they served, the veterans snuggled down in their wheelchairs awaiting their 6:30 a.m. flight.
The day’s full schedule was one any veteran would identify with. Arrive in Washington, D.C., at 9 a.m., visit the WWII Memorial at 10 a.m.; the Korean Memorial at 11:30 a.m.; Arlington National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.; the Iwo Jima Memorial at 3:30 p.m. and then head back to the airport by 4:30 p.m.
“It’s unbelievable. They keep you going for 9-10 hours,” 90-year-old WWII Navy veteran Sheldon Leibler of Pembroke Pines said before getting on the flight. “I’ve got my daughter down from Orlando here to take care of me. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Navy veteran Milton Kaplan, 95, of Delray Beach, re-connected with childhood friend Leonard Ross of Boynton Beach. Neither knew the other was taking the trip.
“I was coming out of the bathroom and the guy pushing the wheelchair for [Kaplan] spins him around and says, ‘Do you know who this is?'” said Ross, 88. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Ross’ guardian was his son, Cooper City Mayor Greg Ross. “I was so proud to have him with me,” Ross said. “It was a win-win for both of us.”
For former Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti, who volunteered as a guardian on the trip, the journey was significant not only for the veterans but for the volunteers as well. Guardians, who must go through training, pay $400 toward trip expenses.
“Growing up as a kid my dad was a WWII veteran, in the Navy, in the Pacific theater, and would always share his stories about his experiences in WWII,” Lamberti said. “He had photographs and I would enjoy sitting on the couch on his lap as he showed me all the photographs he had from WWII. I only wish he was alive to see the WWII Memorial.”
One surprise was left upon their return at 8:30 that night: A welcome party that filled the entire upper concourse of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Organizers said the turnout exceeded the 3,800 people who turned out after a trip last fall.
“We are here to make this the best day of their lives,” said Rick Asper, chairman of Honor Flight South Florida. “These heroes saved the world, not figuratively saved the world, but literally saved the world. The least we can do 75 years after their extraordinary service is to pay them back by allowing them to have this amazing day.”
