Honor Flight veterans recently took to the skies again, this time carrying World War II veteran Kerwin Lew Caldwell of Mexico, and his son, Vietnam veteran Randal Caldwell, of Vandalia, who escorted his father as a guardian.
The duo were among the 75 veterans from the Oct. 13 Central Missouri Flight, that flew to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial. WWII veteran Marvin Davidson of Rush Hill, and his two sons, Kenneth and Jim, also took the trip.
Due to the steady downpour of rain in Missouri, Baltimore and D.C., it was a miserable day for viewing the memorial. But, not one veteran complained. In total, their all-expense paid day trip took 26 hours.
Sitting in his favorite chair, dressed in his Honor Flight T-shirt, Caldwell Sr. recently shared his "once-in-a-lifetime" experience.
Just like in the draft, they all came, the now-aged soldiers of one of the world's most global conflicts, ready to fly out. Except this time, the country catered to them – as heroes. The group met in Columbia at 2 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel, had breakfast, and then at 3 a.m. boarded three buses, en route to the Lambert Airport in St. Louis. Six hours later, they landed in Baltimore, where they were met with even more fanfare.
"It poured so bad in St. Louis, I slept most of the flight," Caldwell admitted. But once they landed, he said, the greeting the veterans received was an eye-opener.
"It was quite an honor," the 84-year-old Caldwell said. The people clapping, shaking your hand, and thanking you for being a veteran," was something else.
"I didn't expect anything," he said.
From Baltimore, the caravan traveled to Washington, where many went off in different directions. Randal Caldwell took the opportunity to visit the Vietnam and Korean national memorials, and the Changing of the Guards, while the senior Caldwell had only one mission in mind – to see his monument.
"I had already seen the Changing of the Guards in 1969, shortly after the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was built in 1964," Caldwell said. His impression of the WWII Memorial, however, was slightly different.
"It was quite a sight to see," Caldwell said of the structure, which stretches across 7.4 acres and consists of a Rainbow Pool in a sunken plaza, surrounded in a circular pattern with 56 pillars that represent the unity of the U.S. States and territories during the war. Visitors enter the plaza on ramps which pass by two giant arches that represent the two fronts of the war. Inside, stands a Freedom Wall covered with 4,000 gold stars – each representing 100 American soldiers that died during the World War II.
"I was definitely worn out afterwards," Caldwell said. "But, it was worth it."
Like many veterans who have served, Caldwell rarely lets stories of the war work their way into conversation – it's something they did, and now, it's over.
Persuaded to think back 60-plus years, Caldwell did recall one incident where his marksmanship was required in a "kill or be killed" situation. No brag, just fact, he said.
The setting was a small war-torn town in Germany, and a lone German soldier who was positioned in an abandoned building that gave him a visual advantage over four streets which were being patrolled by U.S. soldiers, among them Caldwell.
"He was picking people off, and our sniper couldn't get to him," Caldwell remembered. Using a Browning automatic rifle – commonly called a BAR, with its 20 rounds – Caldwell was called in to shut him down.
"You don't like remembering things like that, but it was either him or us," Caldwell said, while subconsciously wringing his hands.
Caldwell was one of five boys in his family to serve their country. Drafted at age 19, he served two years with the U.S. Army, in the 88th Infantry Division. Most of his time was spent in Italy, from Naples to Switzerland. He celebrated his 20th birthday overseas.
Luckily, all the Caldwell boys made it home. Kerwin is the only one who has seen the Memorial. One brother lives in Illinois, another in Texas. Two are deceased.
Without a doubt, Caldwell feels the nation's recognition of its WWII veterans, is "well overdue," especially for the millions for whom it was built too late. Yet, at the same time, he also feels it's "a good deal." To the many samaritans that donated to the construction of the memorial, and the countless volunteers who make the Honor Flights possible, he says "thank you."
As Caldwell and his comrades prepared for their trip home, little did they know, the best was yet to come – mail call!
Caldwell was surprised to hear his name. It reminded him of the most anticipated and appreciated time of war. A break from battle, a touch of home.
The letters were from his great-grandson, Connor Caldwell, who attends Sedalia Elementary School, and his great-granddaughter, Abbie Caldwell, who attends Auxvasse Elementary.
Connor's letter read: "Thank you for helping our country grandpa." He drew a flag, with two people on the second page.
Abbie's note urged her grandpa to have "a holly, jolly trip," "take lots of pictures," and to "tell me all about it when you guys get home." She signed it, love Abbie.
Other family and friends also sent mail for him. But possibly, the most impressive salute given to the veterans on their return home was the 20-mile escort by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
As their buses entered Kingdom City, Caldwell said the patrol closed traffic in the westbound lane of Interstate 70, all the way to Hwy. 63 in Columbia.
"It was real nice to see, and it made you special," Caldwell said.
Listening to Caldwell talk, he's glad he had the chance to take the trip, and proud that his son was able to share the moment. He urges others to do the same.
"If you feel like it and your health allows, you should go," Caldwell said.
Editor's Note: The Ledger staff plans to interview WWII veteran Marvin Davidson for an upcoming Friday feature. Davidson was hospitalized shortly after his trip and not immediately available for an interview.