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| | | The veterans of Roswell HonorAir’s trip to Washington, D.C., gather at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. (click for larger version) | |
October 17, 2008
WASHINGTON - With the possible exception of the Veterans of the American Revolution, no generation has endured more, shone more greatly and lived more quietly than those who born in the first third of the last century.
They endured the Great Depression, triumphed in World War II and led the world through the Cold War into a new millennium as the only superpower on earth. It is not without reason that Tom Brokaw in his book about these people and their times dubbed them "The Greatest Generation."
Roswell Rotary Club took up a challenge to honor these men and women by taking a planeload of veterans to Washington, D.C., at no cost for one day to visit the World War II Memorial – their memorial.
Dubbed HonorAir, the club flew around 100 veterans to Washington last March. The requests for seats was so strong that Roswell Rotary took on a second HonorAir flight Oct. 8. Once again, around 100 veterans with some 40 support personnel spent a day in Washington at the War Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.
The veterans were enthusiastic about their opportunity. Many brought photos of their days in uniform, and many made new friends who could share old times.
Alpharetta resident Mel Coalson, U.S. Army Air Corps, said he was glad he went, but the trip took a couple of days to recover from.
"I enjoyed it, I'm glad I went, but I don't think I would want to do it again. I really enjoyed the camaraderie, I met a bunch of good fellows," Coalson said. "The chance to get close up to the War Memorial was something I won't forget."
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