Boston: Strangers treated veterans like heroes they are

Words cannot adequately express my appreciation to the members of the Show Me Honor Flight for their wonderful support of our local World War II and Korean War veterans.
I was privileged to escort my dad, a veteran of World War II, on the June Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. I watched in utter amazement as more than 40 veterans, dressed in matching fluorescent green T-shirts, were greeted with a hero’s welcome upon arrival at the airport in Baltimore.

As our plane taxied to the gate, it was doused with a volley of water sprayed from a fire truck parked on the tarmac. A voice came over the plane’s intercom and announced, “That was a tribute to you guys!”

I began to suspect that this was definitely no ordinary day for these gentlemen, especially since the day began much earlier with a police and sheriff’s escort out of Pettis County. From the very beginning, Show Me Honor Flight made it quite clear that heroes were among us.
When these guys stepped off the plane in Baltimore, they were met by a crowd of perfect strangers waving flags and cheering for them. It was a sight to behold. The cheers did not let up until the last veteran was off the plane. Even then, the crowd swelled around these men, wanting to take pictures or just share a few words of thanks.

We toured the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Lincoln memorials. Everywhere these gentlemen went, they were greeted by strangers who wanted to simply say, “Thank you.”

Teenagers came up to these men and wanted to take pictures of them and with them. You would have thought the vets were rock stars! I saw the years melt away from my dad with each hug, handshake and conversation. Time and time again, I heard these words spoken to the veterans, “Thank you for your service to our country.”

We visited the Iwo Jima Monument, saw the Air Force Memorial, traveled around the Pentagon and concluded the day with a tour of Arlington National Cemetery. Again, these gentlemen were welcomed by perfect strangers. A young mother with two school-aged children came up to our group and thanked each veteran with a handshake and heartfelt tears in her eyes. Her children did the same.

It was here in this place of great sadness and great tribute that the memory of war collided with the reality of it. I can only imagine how if felt for these 40 veterans as they watched the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

These veterans left Sedalia as ordinary gentlemen who served in war long ago. They returned as honored heroes. When our plane landed in Kansas City, the pilot left the cockpit and stood in the jetway. There he made it a point to shake every veteran’s hand.
When our bus entered Pettis County, it was again met by a police escort. This time the Central Missouri Harley Owners Group joined in. What a sight we must have made traveling along U.S. Highway 65 after midnight — flashing lights, 20 motorcycles with flags waving and two tour buses!

The trip ended in front of City Hall almost 24 hours after it began. Amid waving flags, salutes and cheers, the vets were welcomed home — as heroes. Thank you, Show Me Honor Flight! You are heroes, too!

Jean Boston of Sedalia is an operations manager at Excel Bank.