Local veterans touched memorial visit

RAY NASSER
Commercial-News

DANVILLE March 24, 2008 10:57 am

— Some were yawning, others were trying to catch a little more sleep and a few were holding their eyes open as the bus pulled out of Danville Area Community College’s parking lot. It was 7:02 a.m. on March 10, and a bit early for many of us to be very gracious.
But, Jim Jordan and Harold “Sparky” Songer had big smiles on their faces as they welcomed each of us onto the huge Monticello Bus Co.’s motor coach that would take us to Washington, D.C., and back. Our driver, Milt, was a pro and had everything ready for us each day.
Many old friendships were renewed and new friends were made. I believe the average age of the travelers was 78 or 79 years old.
Radio station WITY sponsored the trip, which was organized by Songer, director of the Vermilion County War Museum. Station owner Donald Ward and his wife met us at Arlington National Cemetery.
Because the main purpose of the trip was to see the World War II memorial, we had mostly WWII vets and their wives on the trip. There were 52 people on the trip, including 17 WWII vets, 12 Korean War vets and three Vietnam War vets. Songer served in all three; Bruce Voges of LST 325 fame and tourist Richard Summergill served in WWII and Korea.
We spent the first night at Somerset, Pa. The next morning, we went to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. It is an awesome sight. More than 300,000 crosses or stones dot the landscape of former Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate estate.
Arlington Cemetery is owned and operated by the U.S. Army. The Lee mansion is owned and operated by the U.S. Parks Service. It is a beautiful structure that houses artifacts of the Civil War and earlier.
Four hundred Medal of Honor recipients are interred in this hallowed ground, including Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, Jonathan Wainwright and Audie Murphy. French engineer Capt. Pierre L’Enfant, who served General Washington in the Revolutionary War, was buried there in 1909.
We were fortunate to be there for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It is quite an impressive ceremony as the sergeant escorts the guards and inspects them prior to their posting. These soldiers of the 3rd Division (Old Guard) have the highest regard and dedication to maintaining reverent respect and honor for their fallen comrades,
These words are inscribed on the west panel of the tomb: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”
After lunch we motored over the Potomac to the White House. On the way we could see the dome of the Capitol building and the Washington Monument stretching into the sky. Jordan prepped us on getting through security and it was a breeze. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, made the arrangements for us on a very short notice.
Construction of the White House began in 1792 and was finished in 1800. John Adams was the first president to occupy it.
Our tour was limited to the original mansion. We did not get to see the Oval Office or the East or West wings. It is a beautiful building. Security personnel were everywhere.
That evening, we took a night tour of the city. The lights on the various monuments and buildings were very striking. The Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial were especially impressive all lit up.
Early Wednesday we headed for the WWII Monument. Wow, is it huge. Each state and territory is recognized on huge rectangular columns circling the memorial. On one side is the Atlantic Pavilion and on the other the Pacific Pavilion. In the center of the memorial is a large pool with a fountain spewing water up many feet. (When we were there, the water had been drained.)
Because we were in the midst of “spring break,” there were hundreds of young people visiting, too. Because most of us had veterans’ caps on, they knew we were vets. Many came to us and shook our hands and thanked us for their freedom. Quite a number of teachers, security people and other adults did the same.
We also toured the Korean Memorial. It is very eerie seeing a reinforced rifle squad supposedly on patrol in a rice paddy. Next, we went up to the Vietnam Memorial, where all the names of those lost in Vietnam are recorded.
After lunch, it was on to the Capitol building. Johnson’s aide met us and gave us an excellent tour of the site. The House was in session and some took that in for a few minutes.
We are indebted to WITY and numerous others for providing funds to help with this trip. Every vet aboard appreciates the support and donations of so many. Thanks to Jim Jordan and his right-hand-man Sparky for planning and detailing this trip.
Ray Nasser is a Korean War veteran. Contact him at ray4mail@comcast.net or through the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 442-1227.

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