Dozens of World War Two veterans and their families filled the Elks Club in central Bakersfield on Saturday. The veterans will fly to our nation's capitol for free in a little more than a week to see the memorial that was made in their honor.
Deron Johnson, 90, said he can't wait to see the memorial after losing many friends in World War II. "I'd be happy to see it because now I will know where they're at, because I had a lot of friends in the war, lots of them," said Johnson, who was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army and served 25 years.
Johnson met his guardian, Sheena Crider for the trip, who will help him navigate Washington D.C. for three days. Each veteran will have a guardian, and about 30 guardians will meet their veterans once they are in D.C.
"I think this is a wonderful experience," said Crider. "I'm looking forward to watching the vets in their discovery of all their memorials."
Local firefighter Greg McGill said he's honored to go as an Honor Flight guardian for the second time. He went on the first trip last May and loved it.
"We owe it to them. They put so much on the line for us, and the fact that these guys aren't going to be here in the next 10 to 15 years, so if I can do anything to help, that's what I want to do," said McGill. "You feel about that small, realizing that you haven't done much with your life compared to what these guys have given to the world."
Honor Flight organizers say time is of the essence for the trip since many of the veterans are in their late 80s and 90s. "We have just lost two of our vets who were scheduled to be on this flight," said Lili Marsh, the chair of Honor Flight Kern County. "It really reinforces why it is so important to make this happen right now."
Robert Kilpatrick brought his old uniform he wore as a Navy Signalman Second Slass in 1943. He says this Honor Flight trip is a tribute to all those who lost their lives fighting for our country.
"The greatest part of the greatest generation are dead. They're the ones who gave it all," said Kilpatrick, who is now 87 years old. "And they didn't get a chance to live and have kids and families like I did. That's the greatest generation, I'm just a survivor."
The World War II veterans will take a chartered plane to D.C. when they leave early morning on November 13 and return two days later.
Deron Johnson, 90, said he can't wait to see the memorial after losing many friends in World War II. "I'd be happy to see it because now I will know where they're at, because I had a lot of friends in the war, lots of them," said Johnson, who was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army and served 25 years.
Johnson met his guardian, Sheena Crider for the trip, who will help him navigate Washington D.C. for three days. Each veteran will have a guardian, and about 30 guardians will meet their veterans once they are in D.C.
"I think this is a wonderful experience," said Crider. "I'm looking forward to watching the vets in their discovery of all their memorials."
Local firefighter Greg McGill said he's honored to go as an Honor Flight guardian for the second time. He went on the first trip last May and loved it.
"We owe it to them. They put so much on the line for us, and the fact that these guys aren't going to be here in the next 10 to 15 years, so if I can do anything to help, that's what I want to do," said McGill. "You feel about that small, realizing that you haven't done much with your life compared to what these guys have given to the world."
Honor Flight organizers say time is of the essence for the trip since many of the veterans are in their late 80s and 90s. "We have just lost two of our vets who were scheduled to be on this flight," said Lili Marsh, the chair of Honor Flight Kern County. "It really reinforces why it is so important to make this happen right now."
Robert Kilpatrick brought his old uniform he wore as a Navy Signalman Second Slass in 1943. He says this Honor Flight trip is a tribute to all those who lost their lives fighting for our country.
"The greatest part of the greatest generation are dead. They're the ones who gave it all," said Kilpatrick, who is now 87 years old. "And they didn't get a chance to live and have kids and families like I did. That's the greatest generation, I'm just a survivor."
The World War II veterans will take a chartered plane to D.C. when they leave early morning on November 13 and return two days later.