by TR Robertson
Three North County Veterans have been selected to join 87 other veterans to fly to Washington, D.C., this Friday as part of the Honor Flight San Diego program. Twice a year 90 WW Ii, Korena War, Vietnam War, and terminally ill veterans from any era are selected to go on this “trip of a lifetime”. This will be the 31st Mission and 15th anniversary for the 3-day trip to visit the memorials built for their service and sacrifice. More than visiting the memorials the veterans will spend time together, share hundreds of stories and for some bring closure to their military past.
The September flight will have veterans ages 81 to 98, which include 6 women veterans, 1 set of brothers, 1 brother/sister team and 3 husband/wife teams. The 98-year-old veteran is a WW II veteran. Every veteran is accompanied by a Guardian or Battle Buddy or Swim Buddy (for SEAL veterans). The Guardians pay for a portion of the flight’s expense. Each trip costs about $310K, which means Honor Flight San Diego has to raise $620K per year for the program. No government funding is received, so all monies are raised through private donors, organizations, American Legion assistance, VFW’s and community events. There are also generous businssess that support the program. For more information on how you can help go to www.HonorFlightSanDiego.org.
Two of the North County veterans were contacted this week prior to their flight. Allan Pearson, living in San Marcos, is a U.S. Army veteran who was drafted during the Korean War. Allan began his service at age 20 in February of 1953. After serving basic Training at Fort Sheridan, Illinois (closed in 1993), he was given a records clerk assignment which brought him to attend a 17-week school at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, enrolled in Engineer Foreman courses. Allan said the were hard and he was enrolled with both enlisted personnel and officers. He remembered some fun times they had in Virginia when they would go to the local roller rink and take part in the roller-skating dances with young ladies. The courses were hard and covered a range of topics. Toward the end, the 56 people in the class would be sent to either Japan, Korea or Germany. He was one of the 5 selected to go to Germany. Allan remembers taking a troop ship to Germany landing at an American base close to the town of Goppingen. He was with the 28th Division National Guard which would become the 9th Division Infantry. While there his MOS was changed from Combat Engineer to Clerk Typist, where he handled Division publications and requisitions. He was released from U.S. Army service in 1955 and returned to working for Kraft Foods in the Chicago area. It was here he met his first wife, Ann. He and Ann divorced and Allan remarried to Rosann, who unfortunately passed away. Allan’s current wife of 14 years is Cheri. Allan ran a printing company in Colorado Springs for 22 years, handling mostly legal printing along with top-secret material. He finally retired after the 22 years with this business. Allan said he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, resembling the DAR, which means his bloodline in the United States dates back to the American Revolution. He said he found out about applying for the Honor Flight San Diego program from a friend and filled out the online application. Allan said he is excited to meet other veterans and hopes to meet some that might have been in stationed in Germany when he was there. He remembers making good friends while there. Allan said seeing how happy and excited the veterans are when they arrive back home and are shown on T.V. made him think this is a great program to be involved with. Allan had 3 brothers who served in WW II and he said they would have loved a program like this. By the way, Allan is 93 years young. His three brothers have passed away at ages 92, 93, and 98. His mother passed away at age 96. Allan said he has the age gene also.
The second North County veteran contacted and going on the Honor Flight San Diego is Fred Wilson. Fred lives in Carlsbad and was active duty with the United States Marine Corps from 1960-1990. He enlisted at age 18 from a delayed program he was in until graduation at Rockfalls Township High School, in Rockfalls, Illinois. He was in boot camp in San Diego and assigned after this to the U.S.S. Yorktown. In 1963, he would be with the 1st Marine Division. Fred served time in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War, the first time from 1965-1966, serving with the Headquarters and Service Company and Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion. As a Squad Leader he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for “exceptional professional skill and courageous leadership”. As Assistant Battalion Operations Chief he led long range patrols directing artillery fire on the enemy. Other awards he has received include the Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation With One Star, Vietnam Service Medal With Six Stars, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and several others. While there and back in San Diego he would serve time as temporary Lieutenant up to Captain. In 1971, he reverted back to Gunnery Sergeant as the 1st Marine Division Training Officer. He rose to Sergeant Major by 1975. Fred’s duty stations saw him serve time in Japan, go back to Camp Pendleton, back to Japan, back to Camp Pendleton where he would finally stay until his retirement in 1990. He said he loved what he did and all the places he was assigned. Fred also said he thought he was at his best when he shared his experiences with younger enlistees and that he had some words of wisdom and stories to pass on that helped him along the way during his 30 year career. He said many of the situations he was in and survived helped him along the way. Some of the things he passed on included, “when things are going well, continue to do what you do that got yoo where you are” and “Always talk to your seniors as they have all probably been through the problems you have”. He also said as far as family and relationships go it is important to “leave your hat at the gate and don’t take your problems at work home”. Fred has been married to Gloria since 1961 and they have four children. Daughter Tammy was in the U.S, Air Force. Fred said he just recently applied for Honor Flight San Diego and is honored to have been selected. He added he has always wanted to see the various memorials dedicated to those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice to their country. One thing he is very proud of is the Crawford Classic Softball Tournament they support in Montana where over 20 softball teams and 40 corn hole teams compete in a June tournament. Proceeds raised go to support various veteran organizations like Wounded Warriors and 22 A Day.
Allan and Fred have many tales to tell, like my father-in-law Rudy used to have, about their time in the service and their experiences. They will join 88 other veterans and I am sure stories will fly on the flight to Washington, D.C., on the buses they take, the meals they share, and the sites they visit. Honor flight makes this possible, if only for a weekend, for these veterans who have served their country.
If you would like to see 9-0 exuberant veterans arriving home, you are invited to welcome the veterans home this weekend, Sunday, September 28th, at Terminal 2 baggage claim. Their plane is scheduled to land at 1:15 and it is suggested you arrive by noon as close to 1,000 people are expected to honor these veterans by welcoming them home.
