War memorial stirs bittersweet memories

Veterans of World War II have been known as the greatest generation, yet many among them say they are ordinary men who served because it was the right thing to do.

Several local veterans recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit several national monuments, including the National World War II Memorial.

Foothills resident Bob Moody was a corporal in the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Marine Division, as well as a veteran of Okinawa. Moody visited the WWII memorial with two other Yuma vets recently and said the monument is quite impressive.

"It's very inspiring, a lesson in history we should all be interested in," Moody said. "It's like the back of a T-shirt I saw there that said: 'If you can read this, thank a vet because we'd all be speaking Japanese or German.'"

The National WWII Memorial, dedicated on May 29, 2004, has been described as representing the defining event of the 20th century. It has also been hailed as a monument to the sacrifice of the American people.

But with many WWII veterans in their 80s and 90s and about 1,000 of them dying each day, time is slipping away for many to see the monument dedicated to their valor.

Back in 2005, Earl Morse, a retired Air Force captain, launched Honor Flight, a nonprofit that sponsors commercial flights, hotels and meals for veterans to visit Washington, D.C. Since then, it has transported 42,165 veterans to see the memorials in their honor.

Arlington National Cemetery was the first stop of on the Yumans' recent itinerary, but they arrived too late for the changing of the guard, Moody recalled. An Honor Flight guide persuaded the military honor guard to re-enact the ceremony and it was very majestic, he said.

"He walks 21 paces in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and they guard that around the clock."

Afterward they visited the WWII memorial, which is built in an oval shape with a pool in the center. There are pillars representing each of the states and a large panel with stars representing the 400,000 Americans who did not return.

But perhaps the most memorable was the memorial that depicted the flag raising at Iwo Jima made famous by the iconic photo by Joe Rosenthal, Moody said.

"I remember a lot of close buddies who didn't make it. I was in three campaigns. I got a little teary-eyed remembering soldiers we lost."

Rob Speelman, another Yuma resident and a communications petty officer on a PT boat in the South Pacific, said that while at the WWII memorial they were greeted by former U.S. Sen. Robert Dole.

"Dole showed up while we were visiting and had pictures taken with him. We got to shake hands and it was really great he came over," Speelman said.

After that, at the Capitol, Sen John McCain boarded the veterans' tour bus. The Yuma veterans said that at least half the veterans were using walkers and wheelchairs, so it was especially nice that McCain came to see them because some were not able to walk any distance. They said it was like a tour extra.

But perhaps the most startling for Speelman was returning to the Phoenix airport when they were greeted by the media and crowds of people holding placards. Hidden from view but soon revealed was his daughter from Happy Camp, Calif.

"It was a great surprise and my other daughter snuck out from a conference in Tucson and joined us later," Speelman said. "I was very impressed with Honor Flight and grateful for what they did for us."

Jim Wilson, a Yuma winter visitor and a veteran Navy seaman who operated a landing craft, said Honor Flight handled everything from start to finish and made all of the veterans feel appreciated. Along with 10 veterans from Arizona were another 25 from Spokane, he said.

"The thing that impressed me, there were no complainers. They're all a bunch of nice fellows and I don't see how anyone could not have been satisfied."