The Conference Coach™

Carolyn Bradfield

They’re called the “greatest generation”.  They fought and won World War II that spanned two oceans and almost every continent.  They freed millions of people and joined every branch of the military without worrying about the dangers they would face.  Their country needed them and they were there.

But our greatest generation is older now, dying at the rate you would expect for people in their 80’s and 90’s.  As a country, we waited a long time to create a World War II memorial and did it long after Korea and Vietnam’s memorials were built.    Many of our veterans never lived long enough to see it.  However, for those heroes who are still around, there is a wonderful organization called Honor Flight that flies groups to Washington for the day to reminisce with each other and tour the World War II Memorial.

My dad was one of those heroes who was his mother’s only child, enlisted at age 17, learned to operate a radio and flew missions in the Pacific theatre to defeat Japan.  Honor Flight flew him out of Columbus, Georgia along with Army nurses, Marines, and soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, on the beaches of Normandy and on the sands of Iwo Jima.

We got a chance to do a “mail call” and send him letters that he got on the airplane on the flight home.  The best part was the part I missed, but fortunately my brother and his family were able to greet the flight when it landed.  Although there were about 100 veterans on the flight, over 1,000 people showed up at the airport with their signs, with a marching band and with cheers and applause.  It’s the kind of welcome home worthy of heroes.

My dad, Thomas H. Woosley, flew in a B24 Liberator in the Pacific.  He risked his life on every mission.  He’s a hero.  Thank you Honor Flight.