'Honor Tour' taking vets to D.C.

For years they waited. The generation who fought fascism and came home to build the United States into an economic powerhouse had no national memorial.

So when in 2004, a World War II memorial east of the Washington Monument opened, veterans from all over the country flocked there.

But for every veteran who visited, many more were unable to.

And that is what gave Rob Callahan of Marble Hill, Mo., the idea to begin the Honor Tour. The tour scheduled for June 21 is an all-expenses-paid trip for Southeast Missouri veterans to visit the National WWII Memorial in Washington.

"I've always had a big appreciation for the military, especially the World War II guys. I've met quite a few of them, and I believe they truly are the greatest generation. They didn't ask for this memorial, but they deserve it," he said.

Callahan said the clock is ticking for World War II veterans. While 16.1 million people served in the armed forces during the war, the 2000 U.S. Census counted 5.7 million veterans still living. That number, Callahan said, has been dropping at a rate of 1,200 per day.

The median age of a World War II veteran today is almost 85.

"At best we have five to six years to get guys to see the memorial. After that, you know, we'll be losing them and it'll just be too difficult for the remaining ones to travel," Callahan said.

Callahan has secured a donation of 30 round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C., from Southwest Airlines and bus accommodations from Three Rivers Travel.

Callahan, a third-generation military man who retired from the Air Force, said getting veterans to the memorial will be one of the most rewarding things he's ever been a part of.

"If you've seen video or pictures of the guys at the memorial, they can be using a walker or cane, but when they see that memorial they stand up a little straighter, their chest will poke out and you'll see some of the biggest smiles you've ever seen in your life," he said.

Some local veterans who plan to visit the monument say they'll be going for themselves and those who didn't make it.

"Lots of guys never got to see it. In fact, I have a brother who never got to see it," said Marvin Hill, 88, of Marble Hill.

Hill served in the Army from 1941 to 1945. He was stationed for part of that time in New Guinea where he had his left shoulder "blown off" by a mortar shell. The injury required 11 months' hospitalization.

He returned home and settled in Southeast Missouri, working as a carpenter for 50 years. He said that without assistance he couldn't afford to visit the memorial.

"We didn't get this for a long time, so yes, I'd like to see it," he said.

Another veteran who plans to go on the Honor Tour is Reuben Fritzler, 85, of Cape Girardeau. Fritzler is a retired barber originally from Kimmel, Neb. He served in the 836 Engineering Aviation Battalion building runways in the South Pacific during the war.

He said the nation is losing its memory of the war with every veteran who dies.

"Every year we have a reunion there are more that can't travel or aren't there," he said.

Callahan's goal is to ensure all veterans who go on the trip do so for free. He said that though the airfare is covered, he still needs contributions to pay for other expenses. Those interested in contributing or learning more about the project can reach Callahan at (573) 718-1076.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245