‘Guardians’ honored to fly with WWII heroes

Lance Corporal Martin Douglas, Keesler Marine Detachment, welcomes back World War II Army veteran Owen Waters following his return from the third Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 24, 2012, at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. The Honor Flight program receives donations to honor our nation’s World War II veterans by sending them on a one-day visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

‘Guardians’ honored to fly with WWII heroes

The Keesler Air Force Base Drum and Bugle Corps performs during the return of World War II veterans from the third Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 24, 2012, at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. The Honor Flight program receives donations to honor our nation’s World War II veterans by sending them on a one-day visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

‘Guardians’ honored to fly with WWII heroes

Members of the Keesler Honor Guard lead World War II veterans and their escorts through a welcoming line after the veterans returned from the third Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 24, 2012, at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. The Honor Flight program receives donations to honor our nation’s World War II veterans by sending them on a one-day visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

‘Guardians’ honored to fly with WWII heroes

Lt. Col. Daniel Bessmer, 81st Diagnostic and Therapeutics Squadron, and his son, Trevor, 4, welcome back World War II Army veteran James Drummond from the third Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 24, 2012, at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. The Honor Flight program receives donations to honor our nation’s World War II veterans by sending them on a one-day visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

‘Guardians’ honored to fly with WWII heroes

James Gautier escorts World War II Army veteran Julius Gainspoleti through a welcoming line as Chief Master Sgt. Angelica Johnson, 81st Training Wing command chief, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., thanks him for his service upon returning from the third Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 24, 2012, at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. The Honor Flight program receives donations to honor our nation’s World War II veterans by sending them on a one-day visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

‘Guardians’ honored to fly with WWII heroes

Joann Griggs, 81st Diagnostic and Therapeutics Squadron, escorts World War II Army Air Corps veterans Albert Mangin and Bill Clark through a welcoming line after the veterans return from the third Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 24, 2012, at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. The Honor Flight program receives donations to honor our nation’s World War II veterans by sending them on a one-day visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

‘Guardians’ honored to fly with WWII heroes

Published May 2, 2012
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- April 24, two "Dragon Medics" were among the 64 volunteer guardians who escorted 94 veterans on the third Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight -- pediatric nurse Sylvia Jones and my sister-in-law, Joann Griggs, who works in pharmacy supply.

The guardians served as companions for the flight's honorees. My sister-in-law accompanied two Army Air Corps veterans -- 93-year-old Albert Mangin from Biloxi and 86-year-old Bill Clark from Covington, La. Mangin, a fighter pilot, served 20 years in the service and later taught air traffic control at Keesler. Clark saw action in four geographical battle areas during the war and went on to a civilian career as a chemist and civil engineer.

Mechanical problems delayed the plane's departure from the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport for more than two hours, but Griggs said the organizers kept things "running like clockwork" to make the most of every remaining moment. When the schedule was adjusted, visits to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial were abbreviated to drive-by viewing.

One highlight of the trip was seeing "their" World War II Memorial, dedicated in 2004 to honor the 16 million Americans who fought for freedom seven decades ago.

The memorial's 56 granite pillars represent the American states and territories that fought in the war. Lining the west side of the memorial are 4,048 gold stars, each signifying a hundred Americans who died in the war. At the north and south ends of the plaza are 47-foot pavilions where the floors are inlaid with the World War II victory medal surrounding by the years 1941-1945 and the words "Victory on Land," "Victory at Sea," and "Victory in the Air."

In a special moment at Arlington National Cemetery, participants viewed the changing of the guard and four of the Mississippi veterans were chosen to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"Sure, our veterans appreciated seeing these sights, but it was so much more than that," Griggs explained. "It was so moving as they talked to each other about their experiences -- the smells, the sounds, the conditions. You could see that spark of recognition as they talked to their comrades who understood -- it's different than telling your family or friends who weren't there. The war brought them together and made them a family, but then they had to go their separate ways.

"One of the most emotional times on the trip was the 'mail call' on the trip back to Gulfport," Griggs recalled. "It seemed to bring back a lot of memories. There were packages full of letters from family, friends and area schoolchildren ... some made them laugh, others brought tears to their eyes.

"The homecoming celebration at the airport meant a lot to them," she said. "Many of them never had a special welcome when they returned home from the war." The Keesler Honor Guard, the 81st Training Group's drum and bugle corps and 50-flag team, representatives from Keesler's Navy and Marine Corps units and other base representatives joined the thousands of community well-wishers that greeted the returning veterans.

My sister-in-law saw her participation in the Honor Flight as a way to honor her late father, a Navy chief who served in the submarine corps during World War II.

"Now my two veterans feel like family to me," she said.

As much as she appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the Honor Flight experience, she felt it would mean even more to Keesler's military members.

"Service members should go to discover their roots and gain insights about their heritage -- you can learn a lot from books and films, but this is an incredible opportunity to talk to these men, one on one, and share their stories and experiences," she insisted.

A fourth Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight is planned for September, and then the local organizers will evaluate the program. Future flights may be opened up to include Korean War veterans.

Volunteer guardians pay $500 to cover their own expenses to travel with the veterans. Just a thought -- maybe organizations on base could sponsor a member to share this experience.

If you know a World War II veteran that lives anywhere in the state of Mississippi that might be interested or if you'd like to serve as a guardian on a future flight, log on to www.mgchonorflight.com.