In Their Honor

Program Sponsors World War II Veterans' Trips To National Memorial

(CBS)  This story originally aired on Sept. 24, 2006

For more information visit www.honorair.com and www.honorflight.org

Veterans Day Came a little early last year for a group of World War II vets from North Carolina, aged 79 to 102. As CBS Sunday Morning contributor Bill Geist reports, they journeyed to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

They were there because Jeff Miller, a local businessman in Hendersonville, N.C., started a campaign last year to send every World War II veteran in the country who wanted to see it.

"Sixteen million served in World War II. Now there's probably just a little more than 3 million alive," he said. "They're dying at a rate of anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 a day so, yeah, there was a lot of urgency."

After all, the memorial was built for them.

"I look at it this way," Miller said. "Everything good I have in my life is because of them - I mean everything. We wanted to take the veterans there to the World War II Memorial who had not been - that was the number one thing - and that had financial or physical limitations, or both.

They'd probably have to charter a plane. But soon they needed a bigger plane and then two bigger planes. This was going to cost a small community big bucks. Henderson rallied and came through on fundraising.

"In less than 12 weeks we raised-I think the number was $133,000," Miller said. "I'd be walking down the street and somebody would come up and hand me five dollars."

Individuals and clubs like the American Legion pitched in.

"They raised $2,300 selling spaghetti - that's a lot of spaghetti at $5 a dinner," Miller said. "Little Henderson elementary school - they had a jar where they put all the change for a party at the end of school, and they took that jar and took that money and sponsored two veterans out of it."

The local Boys and Girls Club raised $300 - enough to send former Sergeant Fred Logan, who served in the Pacific.

"I thank them from my heart," Logan said. "This is the best thing that ever happened to me."

Sergeant Henry Bradley also went. He served in a front lines surgical hospital and saw unspeakable things.

"I remember a lot of it, but I don't talk about it," Bradley said. "I wanted to just forget as much of it as possible cause most of it was not pleasant. We wasn't glory-hunting. All we wanted to do was get on with our lives."

World War II veterans are known for rarely speaking of their valor and sacrifice.

"We call them the humble heroes," Jeff Miller said. "We kid them all the time about it was their own fault they didn't have a memorial because they weren't gonna come home and build one to themselves. That took other generations to build."

Indeed, the World War II Memorial didn't open until 2004 - 59 years after the war ended.

Lieutenant Joe Collins didn't tell his children for a half century about being shot down in a B-24 and becoming a prisoner of war.

"It was get out before it went down or blew up," he said. "We wound up in Stalag-Luft 3. We have some of the letters I sent. This is my favorite. It says, 'Well, hon, I'm a prisoner of war.'"

He'll never forget liberation day.

"I was looking into the city and I could see the German swastika up there - started coming down and our flag went up there," he remembered. "And Patton came in - he came right in on his jeep there - that was something."

Victor Brown, who also flew in a B-24 bomber, was chosen to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (He passed away several days before the story re-aired.)

"That to me is a great honor, and I'm very, very touched is all I can say," Brown said. "I just hope I can do it. I'll crawl if I have to."

"There's 24 steps at the Tomb of the Unknown. It's pretty steep, so they're trying to make arrangements for us to go around," Jeff Miller said. "We've got six EMT guys going with us each day - a doctor going each day. We'll have 50 to 60 guardians each day to push wheelchairs, get 'em drinks, help them up and down stairs."

Two-hundred and twenty Hendersonville vets signed up for the first of what have come to be called honorflights. They arrived in Washington to a hero's welcome and were escorted to the memorial, where some were surprised by friends and family. Joe Collins' son was there to meet him.

For two hours they toured the memorial, met comrades in arms, mourned the 400,000 war dead who'd never see it and the millions of veterans for whom it was built too late. Five have died since signing up for this trip.

But the veterans who attended were feeling the appreciation so long overdue in this, a final tribute to the men-boys then, really, in their teens and twenties-who answered the call and saved the world. Think of it.

[hmoskowitz1]

This segment had to be one of the most moving pieces i have ever seen Bill Geist do. I love the show and have been watching it forever. Keep up the great journalism!
Sincerely,
Helen Moskowitz

[daynlarz]

Wow! What a great tribute to these humble heros! Great story, Bill, your best yet! Thank you!

[plwb57]

Itwas an awesome news story. My father was in WWII Pacific Theater and was from Hendersonville and might have been on this trip if he hadn't passed away a year ago October. This was a tribute long over due....I cried like a baby watching it.

How about rerunning it on the 6:00 news...prime time... where more people will see it. This is a story that should not just be run on Sunday morning......how about again on Veteran's Day?

Great Job!

I really didn't want to have to subscribe to more email but felt I had to comment, so I did.

Patricia Barbara

An excellent piece of journalism. I was moved to tears watching it. My father was a veteran of World War II but died 6 years before the memorial was completed. How I wish he would have lived long enough for me to take him there. Thank you for keeping the sacrifice of these "humble heroes" ever present in our hearts and minds.

[drduck3]

My husband is a WWII Veteran. I would like him to see this piece. Is that possible? How do I retreive a copy?
N. L.

[bobguest]

Bill Geist at his best.

[donnydanny]

My father is a WWll Navy Vet. I have been trying to get him there for two years now. He watched your show. We were all in tears.They are my heroes.

[donnydanny]

I would like to get a copy of todays show. The credits rolled by so fast I could not get the phone number .Your show is my favorite news show. I have watched since it started.Bill Geist' best. Sincerely, Donald Edone

[drbrucek-2009]

My father lost his only brother in WWII and I was shocked to find that his Army intelligence ship in the Mediterranean was torpedoed, killing several of his shipmates when he was remember at his funeral last year. My uncle was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. I found a fisherman one day who was quite friendly and a WWII vet. I almost scolded him for his peers NOT talking about WWII because as George Santayana wrote, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." After some prodding, he finally told me why he didn't talk about WWII. He was in the Pacific on a number islands, and he said he saw completely innocent island dwellers bombed with body parts to be found everywhere. It was sobering. I also know there is the "survivor's guilt" along with the fact many of them simply wanted the war to end so they could come home.

I believe my generation (baby boomers) have not been asked to sacrifice in any way that our parents' did. We reaped the benefits. There needs to be many more stories like this before the WWII veterans are gone. There are enough of them left, that some will talk. We are losing touch with the sacrifice that our fathers made, and how they truly saved the world. What%u2019s worse, this puts us in a position in which the next generation will have no emotional connection to WWII, increasing the chances that we might repeat history.

[jccopeland1]

In Their Honor is long overdue! Thank you so very much for the reporting and to Mr. Miller in Hendersonville for his efforts and idea! My dad, also a WWII veteran, died one year ago today and wasn't well enough to travel after the memorial was completed. My husband, a Viet Nam veteran, and I did see it in May and we were both quite emotional upon catching the first glimpse. Thank you again for your wonderful coverage. I agree that it needs to be broadcast during a prime time news show.

[mcraig57]

This story has hit close to my home. Great tribute to all our WW II veterans. And Wow, what a cummunity to send these veterans there. My story is that my dad passed 7 years ago. He lost his leg in this war.
A point that was brought up is that veterans are dying at 1200 to 1500 a day, so many that the veterans are not getting a proper military burial. Some get it some done.

[drbrucek-2009]

P.S. I agree with what others have posted. Bill Geist did a great job, and I hope this story is reaired at some point such as the evening news when more will see it. I, too, was in tears. When my father passed away in July 2005, I did OK until I saw his casket draped with the flag when it was closed for the last time in the church. He got a 21-gun salute at the cemetery. He was in WWII for 5 years, and never talked about it. It took his funeral for me to swallow hard and realize what a significant part of his life this was for my dad, a former history professor who didn't share his personal history of his service to his country.

[mmbutcher]

I was in Reagan National when the vets came in Saturday. It was just too much for me and I couldn't hold back the tears. You see, my father ran away from home to join the Navy in 1944 and never looked back. He never talked about his experiences there and unfortunately, we never asked. He died in 1983 at 53. He never knew how proud the country is of his (and others') service. My cousin was killed in Vietnam in 1968. He never knew, either. Today, I wait as my eldest son is being deployed to Iraq after the first of the year and I am PROUD that he chose to be an Army Ranger and wait until he goes to college. It is all he has ever wanted to do and he wanted to mature before he enters the univeristy. As a university professor I both applauded and wept over his choice. Thank you all for going...thank you all for your service.

[h0zae]

great work in Hendersonville - thanks Jeff Miller -- You can see a list of Veterans who are attending at http://www.honorair.com

[tannermom]

This Sunday you had a segment on the WWII Veterans memorial, and my question is:
Why should they have to climb so many steps to get there, when most of them can't!

[eisamposas]

I want to thank the sponsors of the trip. That was such a great tribute. My father fought in WWII and is still alive at 82. His mother signed so that he could enlist at an early age during the war. He wanted to go and help fight the war. I love my dad. I hope he gets to go see the memorial soon. We should honor these men always for what they did. We should honor all our soldiers for what they have done and for what they continue to do for our freedom and our children's freedom.

[mamzellebear]

This was the most emotional story about World War II. This was particularly touching for me as I listened to Mr. Collins (veteral and POW) telling his story about being shot down and taken prisoner at Stalag Luft III. My father, Roger C.H. Gagnon, radio operator,from Philadelphia/Montreal, Canada, was also shot down on July 21/44 and taken as POW at Stalag Luft III in Block 107, Room 15. I have a diary of my father's days as a POW and here is one of many poems he wrote... I dedicate this to all the veterans and their families!!!

KRIEGY LAMENT

Here we are at Stalag Luft III
Drinking at the bar
With Lovely girls to buy us beer
Like Bloody Hell we are!

We travelled here in Luxury
The whole trip for a Quid
A sleeping berth for each of us
Like Bloody Hell we did!

Our featherbeds are two feet deep
The carpets almost new
In easy chairs we spend the day
Like Bloody Hell we do!

The guards are realy wizard chaps
Their hopes of victory good
We'd change them places any day
Like Bloody Hell we would!

When winter comes and snow's around
The temperature at nil
We'll find hot water bottles in our beds
Like Bloody Hell we will!

And when this war is over
And Jerry gets his fill
We'll remember all that's happened here
My Bloody Oath we will!!!

C'est pour toi aussi mon beau papa....je t'aime!!
Forever proud daughter of a valiant father who passed away June 5, 2002.

Lynne Gagnon
[e-mail]

[lavonne104]

Thank you Bill Geist and CBS for covering this wonderful story. As one of the Guardians that accompanied this group I can speak first hand as to what an emotional day this was for all who participated. The veterans were treated as true heroes and celebrities from the time they entered the Asheville airport at 7:00 am until their return at 7:00 pm. The staff and crew of US Airways were wonderful and thought of every detail even playing 40's music while we waited!
This story deserves more coverage so that more communities will take the initiative and send their veterans to see the Memorial.

LaVonne McKay

[drlashley]

I am a WW11 vet still alive. I served as a member of the Womens Army Corps assigned to the Army Air Corps. I want to continue my efforts to fill the gap in history about women in the military. 400,000 women served in all branches of the service during WW11. Though we were not allowed to serve in combat positions, those combat positions would not have been possible were it not for the women,and some men,who supported those in combat. I enabled the training of bombardiers who flew in both war theatres. Women served as aircraft mechanics, spys, drivers, interpreters, nurses, transcribers, etc. both here and abroad. Five women were on a troop ship which was bombed and all five survived, 80 some nurses were taken c aptive the South Pacific and servived. Members of the Womens Army Corps served in Algeria, North Africa, England, Southeast Asia, Italy, Egypt, the,Pacific, and Australia . Therefore, I was distressed not to see/hear mention of women serving in the military in the "greatest war with the greatest generation". Lynn Ashley, EdD

[boysville56]

I served in the Navy 1956-60..in the South Paific during many atom bomb tests..up close and personal. My brother lives in the D.C area and I have been to the WW11 memorial three times and I ALWAYS THANK THE WW11 vets and we all end up crying..The memorial is breath taking. I was so inspired that I am going to start the same tribute in my community and hopefully my COUNTY (Oakland County, Michigan....Thank you for a wonderful tribute to our VETERANS.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND TO ALL OF OUR VETS AND TO THOSE BRAVE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN SERVING THEIR COUNTRY..THEY ARE ALL MY HERO's

DAVID CAMERON WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI.

[dcagrounded]

I had the wonderful opportunity to fly these great guys to Ashville from DC, then this morning another group from Ashville to DC. I am a daughter of a WWII vet a now I have a son serving in the Air Force. We had a great departure prayer out of Ashville and then we sang "God Bless America." The most respectful group of passengers I have ever served! How proud we are of their great service! I hope this trip will expand to other cities across America so that our Vets can see their memorial and Arlington Cemetary.

[saludalady]

My daughter was one of the honor guard at the airport,a 17 year old member of the NC National Guard. She came home very excited about the opportunity to see the men and one women, Beatrice K. Stuhmer AAF WAC 236th WAC, off yesterday. I myself watched CBS this morning and it was "great"!!

[paullarson3]

THE SECTION HOSTED BY GEISS WAS WONDERFUL AND THERE WAS NOT A DRY EYE IN OUR HOUSE.

THE PERSON CREATING THIS EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE VETERANS SHOULD GET A COMMENDATION MEDAL - I GUESS HE DID BY WE ALL VIEWING THAT PIECE.

GEISS SHOULD DO MORE OF THIS TYPE WORK - HE IS TOO MUCH AN EVERYMAN TO WASTE HIS TIME AND TALENT ON GOOFY SUBJECTS - GO BACK TO THE KURALT TRADITIONS....

[flaggsusajj]

Bill, what a great story. Thank you. I am going to propose to my siblings that we take my father a First Wave D-Day vet to DC. It could be difficult as he is in his late 80's and wheel chair bound, and in Wisconsin, but I am inspired.

I visited the beaches in France with him over 20 years ago and it was wonderful.
I hope more communities take this idea and run with it, Hendersonville is lucky to have such a caring group of people.

Signed, An avid fan. Terri Horne Cincinnati, OH

[mmfqoe]

I watched the story with tears streaming down my face, wishing my Marine SgtMaj could have been here to watch this beautiful tribute. I would hope that CBS would distribute copies to all WWII vets are still around to see it. Thank you Martha Foster Oceanside, CA.

[rnemtbarb]

Due to the broadcasting of the Tunnel to Towers run we in New York were unable to see the last 30 minutes of Sunday Morning.
The shortened broadcast was definitely understandable - therefore would it be possible to rebroadcast Bill Geist's piece on the WW II Veterans online?

Thank you

[flyingdutch6]

The program on the WWII Vets was great! There are so few of them left. I only caught the last few minutes of the program and was moved by what I saw. I hope that you will re-broadcast it soon and with enough advance publicity that many more people will be able to see it. My father is a WWII vet and still alive and active. I would love for him to be able to see the show and visit the memorial.
Ed Stahlnecker
Greenville,S.C.
Greenville, S.C.

[vmcpc]

BILL
THANKS FOR THE U.S. NATIONAL WW II MEMORIAL PROGRAM. YOU HONORED THESE MEN AND GAVE EVERYONE A GLIMPSE OF PEOPLE WHO WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND AND PEOPLE WHO WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HONOR THEM.

STEVE WALKER

[jocowoman]

Your show this morning on the WWII was absolutely incredible! It was also very touching! I couldn't believe how much I cried! Since my father was in the Navy in WWII, your show was even more meaningful to me!

Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

Hugs,
Cheryl

[jayroe36]

What a wonderful tribute to our WWII Vets, to Jeff Miller and the people of Hendersonville, NC!

Is there still a fund-raising program in place?

If so, is there a possibility that Jeff's vision can be expanded nationally? If so, how and where can I make a donation?

[lcappetto]

As a documentary filmmaker and historian CBS is to be commended for their sensitivity in reporting this noble story of those from the greatest generation, the world war II generation. Thank you Bill Geist. LEST THEY BE FORGOTTEN -- http://veteranshistory.org

[tarpley4]

The Sunady morning program was wonderful - I missed the first 15 minutes but the balance was very touching - I too cried. My dad was in WWII and rarely talks of what happened. I would like him to see the memorial & will ask if he wants to make the trip soon as he is 86 this yr. The guys in Hendersonville and lucky to have such a great group of people to care so much about their "Fathers". Thanks again for such a great program & presentation of the WWII vets.

[murnme]

I showed the clip to my 8th grade students this morning (Monday) and they want to start a program like Jeff's here in Florida. Is there a way I can contact Jeff for organizational information? We have read and watched the movie Pay it Forward --- This would be a wonderful way to pay it forward to our beloved vets.

[dmc60]

I also cried during this story about the tribute to the WWII Vets. What a wonderful man,Jeff Miller! What a wonderful town,Hendersonville,NC!

[wcucat93]

Caution about the video clip... they show a promo of various CBS shows. I was about to show the clip to my 7-year old, but had to divert his attention when a promo for CSI came on. Not appropriate for his age, let's just say.

[labs46]

Jeff Miller is a very unique person and has a heart of gold for what he did for the WWII Vets. My dad was in WWII, on the Bunker Hill, Marshall Islands. I heard many stories from him and my mom has saved a collection of pictures, newspaper articles, and the letters they wrote to each other. All are wonderful history we cherish. Needless to say, I cried throughout the TV segment. My dad passed away at the age of forty and I know he would have enjoyed the segment and perhaps meeting Jeff.

Linda Saunders, MA

[ginawf]

CBS Sunday morning is by far the finest news program on television and I have never been disappointed in the many years I have watched it. I was particularly moved yesterday as I watched the segment " In Their Honor". My father passed away this past February at the age of 82. He served in the Navy in WWII and rarely talked about it. He seemed to treat it as something that was just necessary and part of his past. Now I have a better understanding of why....he too was a Humble Hero. We always asked him questions and only in the past few years before he died was he willing to share a few details. I cried when I visited the breathtaking monument several years ago and I cried yesterday as I watched the veterans visiting the site, seeing my father in every one of them, in wheelchairs with oxygen tanks, so stoic and proud. What incredible men they were and how incredible of Jeff Miller to make this happen. Thank you for sharing this story and for honoring all the deserving veterans.

[ldl88]

Would it be possible to contact Jeff Miller and ask him how he organized this trip? It was such a wonderful segment. My Dad was a WW11 veteran and died just months before the Memorial opened in Washington. He would have loved to go there. I would like to form a committee in his town to do the same thing Jeff Miller did....in his honor. Could you send me some information to get started? I was so emotional after watching this, and then I knew what I wanted to do. I'm sure people all over the country have the same idea.

Thank you for your wonderful show.
Lynne

[janiepope]

I was in tears when the piece about the WWII veterans from North Carolina on CBS Sunday Morning 9/24/06 ended. What a wonderful story!! We in this country owe these heroic men and women a huge debt of gratitude. To see all the people shaking their hands and listening to the vet's stories was so moving. God bless them ALl. Thank you for airing it. A great story!

Janie Pope
Atlanta, GA

[heelfan49]

I had the opportunity to participate as a volunteer to help serve lunch to the HonorAir group. What an amazing group of men and women! They were all so humble. Many were simply amazed at the expressions of gratitude expressed by strangers they encountered during their visits. To me, it appeared they enjoyed the opportunity to get together and talk about their wartime experiences as a "band of brothers" as much as they enjoyed seeing the memorial that honors them. Thanks to Bill and CBS for sharing this story with the whole country. Here's hoping that my son, now in Iraq, will someday experience similar respect from friends, family and a grateful nation in his twilight years.

[sbcmrn]

If you are thinking about starting an Honor Group in your hometown please go to www.honorflight.org. Contact Capt. Earl Morse. They are a non-profit group from Ohio that has made 10 trips in 2 years with over 250 well deserving WWII Veterans. They are also flown free of charge due to donations from thankful Americans of all walks of life. I have traveled with them as a paying Guardian and have seen the same response in the staff and passengers and public at every place the Vets traveled. By the end of the day they have become taller, lines soften, worries are forgotten and it is because of the love they have felt by a proud nation who still embraces them%u2026and always will.

Thank You to all who served and kept America FREE!

(You can donate to send a veteran at www.honorflight.org)
SB %u2013Guardian Honor Flight RN
Grand Daughter of a WWI Army Veteran (Lewis F Hurd)
Daughter and Niece of Korean War Navy Veterans (Walter and Wilbur Hurd)
Niece of a WWII Navy pilot MIA/KIA (Lewis F Hurd, Jr)

[slpinkerton]

There is a group out of Ohio that actually started the idea of flying WWII veterans to D.C. since then several groups throughout the US have joined in, including Indiana and Hendersonville. I would contact Earl Morse, www.honorflight.org to see about starting such a venture from your hometown. With the average age of a WWII veteran approaching 88 and the life expectancy of an American male at 84.5 that doesn't leave much time. Don't wait, there is no time left. They need your help to see a Memorial that was built 60 years too late.

[salebu]

Thank you. Though my father passed a number of years ago, I know he would have been thrilled and honored at the memorial and the thank you being given to those who survive. Your best story ever Mr. Giest.

[mjracette]

Tears flooded my eyes at the wonderful account of the WW2 Veterans from Hendersonville going to the memorial. With programs that move a person like this one did,it makes me thankful for television that has so much drivel and downright porn in the content of many programs nowadays. Thank you for such a wonderful program as Sunday Morning! Joyce Racette

[christine756]

I was extremely moved by the story of the WWW II veterans'' visit to the DC memorial and the role of Jeff Miller. It takes passion to move a project from idea to reality and it was clear that Jeff''s belief was a key to its success. Timing is so important in our lives and I watched CBS Sunday Morning just after speaking to my sister in the UK about our father''s role in the liberation of Belsen. Is there anyway to contact Mr. Miller?

[maureen4165]

Thank you so much for showing this piece again this year, I was fortunate to catch it this morning. It was one of the most touching stories that I have ever seen about WWII. It''s amazing the emotions that stirred after just such a short story. I felt compelled to write and thank you and everyone involved. Now I must call my 81yr old father a WWII vet and thank him. He also rarely talks about his time in the Pacific, but when he does, he ONLY talks about the "good times". He''s an amazing man.

[pyr97]

Have often wondered what happened to all the Military
families who were stationed in Schofield, Hawaii when
the bombing of Pearl Harbor happened. I know most of the Military families who eventually retired in the
islands of Hawaii, but those families who left right after Pearl Harbor, where did they go to on the continent of U. S.? All the children never forgot that eventful day, we had no way to address PTS...

[wild4u1]

IN THEIR HONOR:
Great story, I would like to do the same thing for our WWII Vets in the WEST COUNTY AREA of Saint Louis, Mo.

[sfisher53]

My daddy served in WWII and retired as a Captain. Your story moved me to tears as my daddy passed away one year after the memorial opened. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific. How heartbreaking that when I went to the wall website I found he is not there. What a disservice to a man who spent his life loving his army and his country.

[redrose1213]

My dad passed away in 1981. He only spoke once about being a prisoner of war when the movie Patton came out. He was a B17 pilot shot down and was in a prison camp in Berlin. I would like to be able to contact Lt. Joe Collins to see if he knew my dad. Thanks for the great story.