The Greatest Generation

This is dedicated to my father Bill Meyer.

Normally, I like to write about subjects that are health related, and I guess this is semi-related because I was coming back from a lobbying trip in DC regarding heart health. So there’s my connection! 

I felt compelled to write about this, because of how emotionally moved I was by this whole experience.

While I was waiting for my plane back to Chicago, I had the opportunity to witness the homecoming of an Honor Flight. That's when a charitable organization charters a plane, fills it with WWII Vets, and then flies to DC, so they can see the WWII Memorial.

This jet happened to be filled with Vets from the battles in the Pacific. As the plane pulled up to the jetway, a fire engine approached on each side of the jet, and proceeded to shoot water over the plane, forming an arch. As the jetway pulled toward the aircraft, military personnel lined up on each side, forming 2 lines, down the jetway, through the gate room, down the concourse, and all the way to baggage claim. As these Vets walked down the long human-formed aisle, a military band started to play, and these heroes began to cry; as did the civilians who were just simply waiting for their flight.

I believe these heroes were more shocked by all the attention. They were coming out in walkers, wheelchairs and portable oxygen packs. They walked slow, but managed to smile and wave, as they seemed to soak in what was happening around them. I managed to thank each one of them for their service, and shook their hand. I was doing this alongside business men with briefcases, families with children waiting to go to Disneyworld, and people from the USO.  As Will Rogers once said, “We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb, and clap as they go by”.

My Dad died well over 20 years ago, and I thought about him the whole way home. How ironic, that to end my lobbying trip on Capitol Hill, I ended up visiting the WWII Memorial, and then this happens at the airport. If you haven’t seen the memorial, please do so. It is such an awesome tribute to the Greatest Generation!

November 11th is Veteran’s Day. I think of all the men in my family who have served, some still with us, and some not, and all the sacrifices they have made, just so I can enjoy the freedoms of my everyday life, here in Orland Park, Illinois in the United States of America.

In my own personal tribute, I will mention their names, what conflict, and what branch, as I know they would never look for, or want, this attention:

John Chmiel-Grandfather:   WWI- US Calvary Europe

William (Bill) Meyer-My Dad :  WWII- Army Air Corp/Air Force

Robert (Bob) Meyer- Uncle:  Korea- Army

Bill (Bud) Schaefer-Uncle:  WWII, Korea, Viet Nam -Army Air Corp/Air Force

Edmund Chmiel-Uncle:  WWII- Korea- Air Force

Dennis Schaefer-Cousin:  Viet Nam- Marines

Tom O’Sullivan- Brother-in-law:   Viet Nam- Army

Clarence (Tony) Siano- Brother-in-law:   Viet Nam- Army

William (Bill) Meyer- Brother:   Army

Bill Meyer Jr.-nephew:   Marines, Iraq

Nick Larson, Marines, Iraq***

There are a lot of festivities planned this week to honor our Veterans, but in case you can’t make it, I would like you to check out this website:

 www.helpaveteran.org

 ***Originally named the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans (in Wheaton), a grand opening was held on Jan. 20, 2007 with 250 people in attendance. The Board of Directors officially named the shelter, the L.Cpl. Nicholas Larson Home for Veterans, in memory of a Wheaton native who was killed, in action, in Iraq in 2004. Nick Larson was an extended family member. Please consider making a donation, whether it is monetary or just your time.

And finally, to honor all who have served, or continue to serve ……… fly your flag!