Honor Flight vets get first glimpse of WWII Memorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The day immediately brings 25 veterans to a somber tone.  Some used walkers and others used wheelchairs to make their way down the path leading to the tomb of the unknown soldier.  Their trip was made possible by the generosity of KREM 2 viewers donating their money to the Inland Northwest Honor Flight Program.

Then came the trip to the WWII memorial.  This is what they were waiting for, commemorating the biggest conflict of the 20th century.  Some veterans, like Air Force Pilot James Critchett, immediately relived surviving Pear Harbor.

"In fact, I was walking my post in a military manner and we were staying in a tent there and I went in and woke up the others and just then the Japanese flew right over us.  We were in the traffic pattern for bombing the base there," said Critchett.

Critchett wasn't the only veteran on the trip who fought in the Pacific.  U.S. Navy Gunner, Frank Sturman, moved into combat air training at Whidbey Island, Washington and spent time in the Pacific and around the Marinas Islands.  His brother Bill also fought in the Marinas and Guadalcanal in WWII.  He then went on to fight in Korea and Vietnam.

"I watched them put up the Vietnam Wall, the Korean Wall but I think this one is what sets it all off...right in the middle," said Crichett

It is where most came, not for themselves, but for the many who didn't make it back.  Each star on the monument represents 100 killed.  There are four thousand stars.

These veterans were so grateful to have been given the opportunity to see and more importantly experience this special place.  All of the veterans have one thing to say they hope that the people back home understand what they're going through when they visit the WWII memorial for the first time.  It's keep on giving to the Honor Flight Organization so other veterans can come here and see it as well.