WWII vets to take Honor Flight

Jul 04, 2009 (The Telegraph - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- CILL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Another set of American heroes from The Telegraph area is taking the Central Illinois Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

The three are Melvin Meierant of Glen Carbon, and Elwood Huskey and Jesse E. Smith Jr. of Edwardsville. Meierant received the Bronze Star for his actions in combat in Europe during World War II.

Meierant, 91, said he is excited about making the trip to Washington.

"I heard about it through a friend in Decatur in a retirement home," Meierant said. "I wrote to the headquarters, and they sent me an application. I'm sure it will be a special day."

The group will leave Lambert-St. Louis International Airport early Wednesday morning, arrive at Reagan National Airport in Washington at 9:30 a.m. local time, then board a bus and go to Arlington National Cemetery. Later in the day, the group will visit the graves of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visit the World War II Memorial. Later, after a lunch, the group plans to visit the Korean War, Lincoln and Vietnam War memorials, then eventually have an excellent dinner.

Smith said he thinks the Washington trip will be an unbelievable experience.

"I am going to be thinking about some of the friends I lost when I am at the World War II Memorial," he said.

Huskey said he, too, is looking forward to the day.

"I don't get to travel very much anymore," he said. "It's nice they will be able to take me there."

Ray Widele, chairman of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight group, said he believes the Honor Flight program is second to none.

"When the veterans go to Washington, I see they are so thankful that they have built a memorial that they can see and that people are honoring them for what they have done," Widele said. "We call this 'one more tour with honor.' Even though it is a long day by flying out in the morning, and it ends up being a 16- to 20-hour day for veterans, they keep talking and talking about it after they made the trip."

Gene Crivello of Alton made the Honor Flight trip in September. He said the trip was an experience that every World War II veteran should have if they can.

"It was the most wonderful 12 to 14 hours I have ever spent in my life," Crivello said. "We got on the plane with 97 veterans and 47 wheelchairs. When we arrived at Reagan Airport and went into the concourse, there were at least 500 people waiting on both sides of the aisle. They were screaming and hollering and saying, 'Thank you for your service.' There wasn't a dry eye in the place."

dan_brannan@thetelegraph.com

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