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Almost 70 years later, Dalen, traveling with
daughter Melissa Kwit and fellow Mount
Pulaski resident Everett Streenz, was
honored along with 102 other World War II
veterans from central Illinois with an
expense-paid trip to visit the memorial and
other D.C. sites. An organization known as
Honor Flight is committed to providing this
opportunity to as many veterans as possible,
but especially World War II veterans and
veterans with terminal illnesses.
The Honor Flight group in central
Illinois is known as Lincolnland Honor
Flight. They were able to make the trip from
Springfield on April 28 due to the generous
donation of a charter flight made by
Southwest Airlines. The group of 104 vets
left early in the morning and spent a chilly
and rainy day in the nation's capital. They
were given matching T-shirts and caps
honoring who they are. The shirts bore a
saying, "If you can read this, thank a
teacher. If you can read it in English,
thank a veteran."
A crowd was on hand to welcome them with
banners and music. Their first stop was at
the World War II Memorial, which was an
emotional event. From there, they were able
to view other famous sites, including the
other war memorials and the White House,
finishing up at Arlington Cemetery.
Throughout the day, groups of school
students noticed them and talked to the
veterans.
"They were amazed that dad had fought in
World War II," Kwit said. "They told him,
‘You're a cool dude.' I don't think dad has
ever been called ‘dude' before!"
They were informed at the changing of the
guard at the cemetery to watch the
commander. At a certain point in the
ceremony, he slid his foot from the side to
center position. This is a silent tribute to
our nation's World War II veterans, they
were told.
[to
top of second column]
Everet Streenz
earns his wings -- first airplane ride at 88
years of age.
Dalen
Shellhammer with his last mail call ditty
bag. |
The day ended with the plane touching
down in Springfield at approximately 9 p.m.
The weary soldiers had more surprises in
store for them.
Each soldier received the "last mail
call" from our government. Their names were
read along with their hometown, and a ditty
bag full of mail solicited in advance was
given to each one. Mr. Shellhammer received
dozens of letters from students of Mount
Pulaski Grade School, along with pictures
drawn for him. In addition, letters from
friends and family filled out the bag.
Then they were escorted into the airport
proper by a bagpipe player. They were not
aware that a reception was in store, but the
airport was filled with greeters, all
honoring the returning veterans with signs,
media and cheers, but most impressively with
military from all branches of the service in
full salute.
"It was great," Dalen beamed. "So many
people!"
___
To find out more about the Honor Flight
charitable organization, go to
www.honorflight.org. For central
Illinois, check out
www.lincolnlandhonorflight.org.
[Story by
JO HILLIARD, pictures by MELISSA KWIT] |
