'Thank you' warms hearts of those from Knoxville area visiting national memorial
By Jim Balloch (Knoxville News Sentinel)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
In World War II, they fought in the Pacific, invaded Europe, smashed an evil coalition and changed the world forever.
On Saturday, they landed in force again — in Washington.
This time, they were laden with years instead of backpacks and rifles, and their reception was much friendlier.
The National Symphony Orchestra was on hand to greet them with patriotic songs.
More than 100 Knoxville area veterans were flown to the capital for a one-day trip to visit the National World War II Memorial at the National Mall. They joined 6,000 comrades from other states as part of the inaugural of a program to bring veterans of the war to see the memorial for their service and sacrifice.
“It moved you, it really did,” said James B. Dewhirst, 83, who served in the Pacific with the Marines. “When we got off the plane, there were people there clapping and hooting. You know, a lot of us, when we came back from the war, we didn’t think about having anything like this, we just went right on back to school or to work.”
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, a veteran himself, was on hand to greet the visitors. Veterans said they found the memorial impressive
And “way overdue,” added Merriel Goodman, 82, who was in the Pacific with the U.S. Navy SeaBees. “It took a lot of fighting to get this.”
Paul Hrica, 93, a U.S. Army veteran of D-Day, noticed that the memorial included the names of all the places he had fought engraved in granite.
“It is very striking, and one of the finest things they could have done for us veterans,” said Hrica, who was with the 56th Signal Battalion of the First Army. “This brings back a lot of memories.”
“It is something of a wonder,” Goodman said in agreement. “This has been a marvelous day. ”
The trip was sponsored by Eddie Mannis, president of Prestige Cleaners of Knoxville.
Many people at the Reagan National Airport terminal in Washington, including passengers and airline employees, became “very emotional” at the sight of the old veterans, Mannis said.
“Some of them came up and were saying ‘Thank you for your service,’ and things like that,” he said.
At McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., R-Knoxville, were on hand to see them off in the morning.
Duncan also made arrangements for a police escort in Washington for the tour buses transporting the Tennessee veterans to the memorial. They also visited Arlington National Cemetery, among other sites.
Jim Balloch may be reached at 865-342-6315.