Local vets to travel to Washington to see ?their? monument
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
Three of Onaway?s World War II veterans have never seen the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., that honors them and their fellow brothers-in-arms who served and the more than 400,000 who died. That will change next month for Delbert Dunn, 84, Robert Vasold, 87, and Arman Kearfott, 83, who will be traveling to the nation?s capital, Oct. 2.
Pride and Honor Flight of Michigan recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington at no cost. Opened May 29, 2004, the World War II Memorial in the nation’s capital ?celebrates a generation of Americans who emerged from the Depression to fight and win the most devastating war in world history.? In case visitors don’t fully appreciate their sacrifices, there are 4,000 gold stars on the Memorial’s Freedom Wall commemorating the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives.
?I had four other brothers who were in this post with me, I?m seeing it for them, that?s the way I?m looking at it,? said Dunn, standing outside of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5857 in Onaway. ?They all would have liked to see it.? Dunn, an Army veteran, who took part in the D-Day invasion, never expected to see the monument, ?but I love it.?
Vasold, who served in the 1st Marine Division, was involved in the original landing at Okinawa, Japan. ?I think this is a golden opportunity,? he said. ?As Del said, he?s going to honor his brothers, I?m going for my cousins who are not here anymore.?
Part of the one-day trip will include a stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial. ?I think it?s a wonderful thing people are doing this for us,? said Kearfott, a Navy veteran. ?I feel very fortunate, very fortunate to be considered with these wonderful men ? all honorable men.?
Phil Presnell of Bearinger Township, a veteran service officer for more than 20 years, has been working as an advocate for veterans, filing claims and assisting them in any way possible, spoke to various veterans groups and other individuals in the county about the program and found three committed in going on this flight. Presnell will be going as a guardian; however, he?ll be paying his own way. ?It?s not a freebee. I?m going to be looking after them and making sure they get to
Presnell will be driving the men to Domino Farms where they will catch a bus for Metro Airport to get on a 7:30 a.m. Southwest Airlines flight bound for Baltimore. They then will board another bus for a direct trip to the memorial. Other stops include the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials. They leave later that day for the airport and the return trip to Michigan.
Southwest Airlines is a benefactor involved in making the program possible. Jack and Faye Wisely of Dexter facilitate the Pride and Honor Flight chapter in Michigan. In 2008, they took 222 vets to D.C.
?I thank God for everybody that served, including the one that didn?t come home ? they are the real heroes,? said Vasold. Kearfott said, ?I hope I don?t cry. I lost a lot of friends, all at a young age. I never thought I would live to be 18. I made it much past my time.?