Mission #66 Great River Honor Flight

By Bill Crager

This trip to Our Capital, Washington DC, was awesome, and inspiring and made me so proud to be an American! This is from my perspective as everyone's can be different and maybe in a different order.

In preparation for the journey on Wednesday, August 16th I got up at the normal time of about 6 AM. I made sure I had all my RXs with me and the suggested items. I took a nap of 1 ½ hours that afternoon in preparation for a long day on Thursday, August 17th.

My Grandson, Christian Crager picked me up around 11:30 PM Wednesday and headed off the JWCC in Quincy, Illinois. We were to be there at 12:30 AM Thursday for check-in and final orientation. A prayer was given for a safe and informative trip after our meetings.

Hy Vee had prepared a great breakfast and it was served with the help of the American Red Cross and other volunteers. It was kind of strange eating at about 1:20 a.m. There are maybe 100 or more Volunteers/Sponsors from the Tri-State area that support the Great River Honor Flights. These Honor Flights began by the Tri-States group in 2010.

Henry Sweets III was our Flight Capiton, Toni Park, Board Member to assist and Medical personnel was Jane Peterson FNP.

The bus began loading at about 1:45 AM. Christian had volunteered to be the Guardian that would assist the Veterans on and off the Buses. He did a great job with this responsibility. There were lots of items other than Veterans to board this transit bus. Many wheelchairs needed to be loaded too. Our FNP, Jane Peterson, and medical supplies boarded at the same time. Our Bus driver was a peppy lady who was always willing to help anyone in need. I did not get her name.

We left for the Southwest Terminal in St. Louis at 2:00 a.m. sharp. There was a group of people greeting us too. It took some time to go through Security but all went smoothly. It takes a little longer for me because of all the metal in my spine and shoulder. All the X-rays did not hurt much, HA.

I realized at this time that my mindset was wrong. I would not be able to handle the trip by myself. I had requested a standby wheelchair in case of this. Very thankful I did this as all the walking etc. was more than I could do. Grandson Christian supported me from then on in the wheelchair. He pushed me wherever needed at each stop and also took care of my Flight tickets and paperwork and the boarding and unloading of the Veterans. Thank you, Christian, I love you!

We departed on SW 3216, 31 Veterans with Guardians on Boeing 737-800 with a crew of four having a total passenger load of 175 on the 6:00 AM schedule. We were to arrive at BWI Baltimore, MD at 9:00 AM and it was on schedule. Now we are on Eastern time!!!

The Baltimore arrival was a lot more than we anticipated!! As the plane entered the tarmac area, two fire trucks arched water canons over the plane to greet us!

In the lobby, the Town Crier announced our arrival with a huge crowd, maybe 200 people or more cheering and clapping and shouting welcome and congratulations. He had one of those voices that could be heard for a city block. What a heartwarming welcome and we all were kind of taken aback a little but appreciative.

We boarded a Charter bus to Washington, DC which was about an hour trip in the East Coast traffic. We watched a video in transit and before arrival, we were given a box lunch (dinner) provided by Arby's, a very large turkey cheese wrap with chips, and a huge cookie. There were plenty of choices for drinks on the bus. The bus driver was a retired Military man, US Marine Corp, I did not get his name. The bus driver had lived in the DC area all his life and as we drove from site to site he had more information about all the little things and history of many of the buildings.

When 9-11 happened, he was at the Sheraton Hotel and the plane with the Muslim Terrorist flew over and took off the antennas on the roof. He experienced seeing the plane hitting the Pentagon and the after-effects. One can see the color difference of the replacement stones on the side of the Pentagon.

At about 10:30 AM we arrived at the Vietnam Memorial Wall then to the Korean Conflict Wall and on to the Lincoln Memorial. Walking up and down the walkways, these Memorial Walls made me think of all the brave men and women who gave their ALL so we can be a free Nation. It was quite a somber time for us and many of the other visitors.

We departed the “Walls” and arrived at the WWII Memorial. This was an impressive circle of columns and pillars, each set of pillars had the inscription of the state, all 48 of them. Grandson Christian found the Missouri inscription. This made me reflect on my memories of WWII in my childhood. All the young men and women that did not come back in the Pekin, Illinois area. The Gold Star Mothers sign on the doors and many other things. We lived at the edge of town before moving back to the little farm in 1946. Dad worked in town for a power company and they all had badges with photographs to even enter his workplace. It was hard to get anything as all products went into the war effort. It was all rationed and you needed coupons to buy about anything.

We departed the WWII Memorial and arrived at the Air Force Memorial at about 1:30 PM. This is a beautiful Memorial on top of a little rise and one can see a lot of the DC area from here.

We departed the Air Force Memorial and arrived at Arlington National Cemetery in time to watch the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This was a very touching Ceremony with the Soldiers doing very precise protocols. Twenty-one steps as a tribute in each direction in front of the Tomb. (representing the 21-gun salute) People understood the meaning of this and our group of Veterans and Guardians stood quietly and respectfully doing this Ceremony as did all the visitors.

I was disappointed that I could not find the area where I served in July of 1959. I had the privilege of serving on a Rifle Squad at a Funeral for a Veteran. I remember changing my uniform in a large block building and the lengthy Protocol training for the Ceremony. I also remember being issued a chrome helmet, a special redneck bib scarf, and a chromed M1 rifle with blank ammunition. The bus driver said that many of these old block buildings had been replaced or removed in the 80's.

We departed Arlington and arrived at the Iwo Jima Memorial around 3:30 PM. This was a splendid replica of the US Colors being planted on the high ground of the island of Iwo Jima. I remember as a child seeing this in the Newspapers and on the Movie Tone news at the Movie Theater.

Another memory just came to mind, December 7th, 1941, Mom and I took the Blueline bus to Peoria, Illinois for a special treat to see a Walt Disney movie. We stayed for the whole movie but noticed a lot of people were leaving early, talking in low tones and some were crying. When we left, in the front of the Theater there were newsboys shouting EXTRA EXTRA, JAPS ATTACK PEARL HARBOR.

We are at war now! Not a good memory.

We left for the Navy Memorial Building to have another box lunch provided by Arby's. This was a huge Chicken Sandwich and all the trimmings with drinks of our choice. We had the choice of going in or eating outside. Well, it was somewhat hot with moderate humidity but we decided to eat at the entrance which was in a little Park area and well shaded and we had a nice breeze. Very pleasant supper. The weather had been really quite nice for August and it had started out nice and cool and did reach 88 degrees.

The bus took us down Pennsylvania Ave past the White House. How times have changed, concrete barriers, and security fences abound!! Too bad!

I was here in the summer of 1959 three times, once for Arlington and twice with Army buddies. My buddy and I walked up to the White House and into the foyer hoping for a tour but we were told that it was closed for tours today, but come back tomorrow if able and you can get in. WON'T HAPPEN THAT WAY NOW!!

On the way past the White House and Government buildings, the Veterans were joking about the endless slow traffic in DC but they all seemed to be orderly and knew where they were going, not like the slow flow of Congress and with continuing change of directions, and don't seem to know which way they are going!! The drivers all seemed to be cautious and courteous and stopped at all stop signs. As we crept along in traffic we noticed a young lady walking casually on the sidewalk. The bus made it through three stop lights and blocks and this lady was now ahead of the bus.

It was time to leave for Reagan National Airport. We arrived at the Airport at about 5:30 PM and went through security again. We proceeded to the boarding area for the Southwest Flight 3443 which was to depart at 6:55 PM.

OH NO!! The flight was delayed due to weather until 8:10 PM. So the boring wait was on. Thousands of passengers in the large airport and it was crowded everywhere.

We finally boarded around 7:45 p.m. The Flight Crews inbound and outbound were so nice to us. Kudos to the Southwest Airlines employees. We did not arrive at St. Louis until maybe 11:00-11:30. PM Central time, not sure, but the Terminal was near without people because of the late-night arrival.

We boarded our waiting bus for Quincy. We had the same lady driver and again she was so nice and accommodating. A few miles after leaving the St Louis Metro area, our leader, Henry Sweets III, announced that each of the Veterans had a mail bag with mail. I waited until I got home in Monroe City to look inside and there were about 50 to 60 letters/ cards/ and school children's greetings of congratulations. I slowly read and absorbed each one and it was really a nice gesture as a number of these cards/letters were from people in the USA who did not know me. They must have been volunteers in the Honor Flights program.

The bus was full of chatter after leaving St. Louis but soon became pretty quiet as we all were very tired and weary and some caught a short nap. (30 hours and no sleep). The bus driver said we were stopping at Loves Truck Stop, New London as she had something to do. We did not think much about this until we topped the overpass into Loves.

WOW, what a sight, the parking area was full of Motorcycles and suddenly the bus driver started hitting the air horn, and the parking lot came to life with Motorcycle lights flashing flags flying and horns blowing!! What a greeting and surprise for all of us, Even though our Guardians had been given the WHOLE itinerary of planned events. It was their secret!! This was the Great River Escort Motorcycle Squadron Club. What an honor for us Veterans.

NOW guess what?? The Missouri Highway Patrol led the Squadron back out onto US61 with our bus following and a Missouri Highway Patrol behind the bus lights flashing and sirens. As we traveled north on US61 the Law Enforcement had ALL the intersections blocked off all the way to Hannibal, even the US36 approach in Hannibal. We went under the US36 overpass just before the Mississippi River bridge, Lights went on and the Hannibal Fire Dept showered us with a water cannon salute and a large flag was draped over the ledge.

The Illinois Highway Patrol was handed off the job of escorting the rest of the way to Quincy, Illinois, and John Woods Community College. Wow, what a trip back home this was!

We Veterans did not know about what was waiting for us at JWCC when we unloaded.

As we approached the College the Motorcycle Squadron and a crowd was greeting us with a line of signs and USA Flags. We seemed to have to wait a while before unloading for some unknown reason to us.

Well, the Squadron and the crowd of people had to go into the gymnasium and prepare a few things. I told Christian that something was going on and as we had the front seats, I did not want to be the first in. Christian got out to help the Veterans off the bus. I got off about number eight and we were told to hand our information card to the man inside. I could not see inside from my vantage point at the entrance but could hear names being announced.

Christian wheeled me and they announced each Veteran and his/her Service information.

I could hardly believe my eyes, we were met and each given a special Military quilt a Commemorative Plaque from the Great River Motorcycle Squadron, and a special USA Shield from The Adams County Woodworkers Club. The Squadron was lined up on one side of the Gymnasium with USA Flags. There was a line of Veterans greeting us with handshaking etc. The bleachers were full of well-wishers also and they were standing and cheering and clapping.

WHAT A WELCOME BACK THIS WAS!! I can not say enough about all the Volunteers, Sponsors, and all the people who treated us so well. Thank you – Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the people involved. My trip of a lifetime!! My last Hooray! 87 years young!

My Grandson, Christian Crager, made my time on this trip so enjoyable and without stress. He was at my side every moment that he was not helping other Veterans off and on the buses.

I know he was really tired at the end of this excursion with the Great River Honor Flight. Without him at my side, I could not have done this. Again thank you all for this memorable trip.

I served: 1959-1961 ARADCOM Dew Line A-1-60th Site C47 Nike-Ajax Missile Battery MOS 763-18 Specialist 4th Class Member of The American Legion Post 0221 Paris, Missouri