Vets Return From Greatest Generation RV Trip |
Trailer Life, May 21, 2010 |
Road-weary veterans, 128 in all, climbed out of nine RVs and three charter buses single file, of course, following their four-day journey to Washington, D.C., to witness the World War II Veterans Memorial, a story first announced on trailerlife.com in March “The Greatest Generation RV Trip.”
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Red and white lights bounced off their exuberant faces as two fire trucks, with ladders extended, graced the entrance to the lot, an American flag draped between them.
“Welcome home, soldier” was heard as the veterans made their way out of the RVs, with “Mission Accomplished” signs pasted along the sides.
Hundreds of people filled the parking lot of the Beloit church, waiting patiently with their children and animals, some with blankets wrapped around them.
Madeline Slater, 3, and Jenna Schomber, 9, hoisted a sign that read “Welcome Home Nana and Pop.” They whirled around, hair whipping as they ran between their parents’ legs.
“It’s past their bedtime,” Madeline’s mother, Megan Slater, said with a smile.
Zach and Marisa Franks stood patiently as their children, Mandalyn, 6, and Zavier, 8, held signs with their cousins Azaria Martin, 8, and Aniya Martin, 6.
“They’re so excited,” Marisa said.
Even man’s best friend staked out a spot in the celebration. In attendance was Circle of Change, which trains dogs for emotional support for those who have suffered traumatic events. Londyn went on the VetsRoll trip to serve as an emotional support dog, and trainer Pat Muller was there to pick her up.
“Many of those vets suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, and one of our volunteers traveled on the trip with Londyn,” Muller said.
As the veterans slowly made their way inside to the Central Christian Church gymnasium, each was handed a vibrant red carnation and a pin that read “VetsRoll: Mission Accomplished.”
“Well, we made it all home in one piece,” Al Kath Jr. said. “Seeing the memorial is something you will never visualize until you actually see it, and its a wonderful memorial for all those people that never came back.”
Kath recalled the 775-mile trip home, where children lined up over some overpasses waving flags and hollering. It was a once in a lifetime deal, he said.
His son, Richard, volunteered to drive one of the RVs, and once his father’s wheelchair was settled he took a step back.
“They held up pretty well,” he said with a smile.
Harison Teague stood in a daze, looking around the gym filled with people. A young woman approached him, asking to take a photo with him. He gladly threw his arm over her shoulder, adjusted his Marines hat and waited for the camera flash.
“When you’re at my age, you get tired easily,” he said as he made his way to his seat. He tipped his hat back and smiled, waiting for the reception to begin.
Story courtesy of RV Business.
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