Millersburg WWII vet to visit nation’s capital

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

A Millersburg World War II veteran has been invited to take part in an upcoming honor flight to Washington, D.C.

Walter Szymoniak, 94, who served in India and delivered supplies to Merrill’s Marauder’s in South Asia, is thrilled about going.

“That would be great,” said Szymoniak. “It will be a good trip because I cannot drive.” He has never been to Washington, D.C.

Honor flight honors America’s veterans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam by flying them to see the memorials built in their honor in the nation’s capital. The program’s primary focus has been the World War II veterans.

Because Szymoniak is legally blind, he was bumped up the waiting list and will now be flown to the Washington, D.C. at no cost to him.

3415-Walter-Szymoniak

Szymoniak was 21 when he enlisted in the Army on his birthday, July 1942. “You had to be 21 before you signed up,” he said.

Szymoniak took part in basic training that fall and was shipped overseas in January 1943.

“In our area, we were the only ones that had trucks,” said Szymoniak. “We delivered everything it took to run a war.”

Szymoniak delivered supplies over the Ledo Road built by the Western Allies to supply the Chinese as an alternative to the Burma Road that had been cut off by the Jap

anese in 1942. It was later renamed the Stillwell Road after Gen. Joseph Stillwell.

“I was in the service for almost three years to the day,” said Szymoniak. “I was in India for two years.”

His daughter, Denise Rawlins, is thankful that her father was selected but was hopeful that other veterans would take advantage of the program.

“I did not know about this until a few months ago,” said Rawlins.

“I did not know either,” said Szymoniak. “It would be great to get away for two to three days.” He will be traveling with a group flying out of Traverse City.