Sean C. Morgan
The one-time soldier now had Parkinson’s disease and, well over 80, he hoped to find room in an elevator to the top of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
But the elevator was packed, so he and a companion gave up and walked the many steps up a hill to the memorial. There, the soldier saluted. He had realized a lifelong dream.
It didn’t look like this was something he was going to be able to do in his lifetime, until he became one of many Oregon World War II veterans to fly, all expenses paid, to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II memorial as part of the Honor Flight program, said Honor Flight volunteer Mary Blanshen of Lebanon.
The public will have an opportunity to learn more about the program at 1 p.m. Saturday when volunteers screen “Honor Flight: One Last Mission” at the River Center, 3000 Hwy. 20, in Lebanon to help raise funds for Honor Flight.
The film is a documentary about four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community that came together to give them the trip of a lifetime to see the memorial constructed for them.
The film is a documentary about four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community that came together to give them the trip of a lifetime to see the memorial constructed for them in Washington, D.C., in 2004.
Volunteers race against the clock to fly thousands of the veterans to Washington, D.C., almost 70 years after the war.
The film was screened in Lebanon a couple of years ago and returns this year to help raise the $1,000 to $1,100 per veteran it takes to send them 50 at a time twice per year with the South Willamette Valley chapter of Oregon Honor Flight, which serves veterans in Linn, Lane, Benton and Lincoln counties.
“These people are why we’re here today,” Blanshen said. “They’re our heroes.
“We go with 92-year-olds. We come back with 19-year-olds, laughing and telling jokes, talking about chasing girls.”
They’re telling their stories, she said. “It’s their last mission.”
“A lot tell stories they’ve never told before,” said Blanshen’s husband, Dale. “It’s a healing time for them.”
They came home from World War II and integrated back into society with post-traumatic stress disorder, internalizing and moving forward, Mary Blanshen said. “Their wives were their support. They didn’t realize it, but they were.”
The veterans will be honored during the event on Saturday, receiving letters written by members of the public, she said, but their wives will also be recognized and given roses. She also noted how women stepped up at home to work in the factories and gardens in the tiniest spaces everywhere to support the war effort.
“This is what made us the United States today, these men and women,” Blanshen said.
She said letters are always welcome for the Honor Flight program and should be sent to her at 38819 Christopher Way, Lebanon, 97355.
Since the Honor Flight Network launched in 2005, it has taken more than 100,000 World War II veterans to the memorial. During the four-day trip, veterans visit several war memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. They also are honored at a special dinner.
Tax-deductible donations may be directly deposited at Umpqua Bank.
The program begins with the national anthem by Praise in 3D, George, David and Cliff Dominy. The Young Marines will help out at the event.
Admission is $10 at the door. Tickets are available at Burcham’s Metals, 3407 Pacific Boulevard, and the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, 1040 S. Park St.