Honor Flights: WW II veterans honored with flight of lifetime

By Tom Killin Dalglish
Posted 7/1/16

IVERTON — For two local members of the "the Greatest Generation," their one-day trip from Tiverton to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was an unforgettable honor.

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Honor Flights: WW II veterans honored with flight of lifetime

Posted

TIVERTON — For two local members of the "the Greatest Generation," their one-day trip from Tiverton to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was an unforgettable honor.

The “Honor Flights” trip mission, say their organizers, is "to transport America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their sacrifices," with top priority going to "America's most senior veterans — survivors of WW II."

According to the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub (and principal organizer, George Farrell), the number of surviving World War II veterans is dwindling fast. The youngest is 85 years old, the organization says, and an estimated 640 die each day. It is estimated that about 2,500 WW II veterans remain in Rhode Island.

Most of them have been unable to visit the war memorials in the nation's capital. The Honor Flights attempt to remedy that.

At 4 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, Ed Joaquin and Elliott Whitney, both 93 and both veterans of World War II, left home —Brookdale, Sakonnet Manor in Tiverton — for T. F. Green Airport to catch Southwest Flight to Baltimore/Washington Airport, boarding time 6:30 a.m.

Nothing about their trip was ordinary.

Mr. Joaquin was met and escorted to the airport by his former colleague, Fall River Fire Chief John Lynch (Mr. Joaquin served for almost 29 years with the Fall River Fire Department). Mr. Whitney was escorted by Tiverton Fire Chief Robert Lloyd.

"It was an experience I'll never forget," said Mr. Whitney. "Besides seeing all the memorials — WW II (Iwo Jima), Korea, Vietnam — the main thing I brought back from the trip was the people who came over and shook our hands. The children, the adults, all nationalities. It will stay with me forever."

Mr. Joaquin said he was moved by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and liked best "the memorial for the Second World War — you can't beat that."

"Arlington Cemetery" was to him the most memorable, said Mr. Whitney. "It's awe inspiring, to see the hillside covered with those headstones."

The first leg of their trip took them to the Warwick Fire Department, where they met up with 20 other area veterans also making the day trip. From there they went by bus to the airport, escorted by fire trucks and rescue vehicles, their way cleared by sirens.

It was the same when they arrived in the nation's capital. "It's important to emphasize, the totality of firefighters all day long," said Mr. Whitney.

Sirens sounded, traffic and intersections were cleared, it was a motorcade. "We were going through red lights, and once we went into the opposite lane of travel," said Mr. Joaquin.

At one point a bagpipe band joined the procession. At one of the airports, USO "girls" greeted them.

Every step of the way, each veteran was accompanied by a "guardian. An EMT from a fire department was always on hand.

As a surprise, there was a "last" mail call for each veteran — they were called by name and given an envelope. In each envelope was a photo of the veteran when he or she was in the military, and cards or letters — from family, friends, church member — wishing them a safe trip, thanking them for their sacrifices and bravery, and expressing the pride the authors feel about them.

"The organization got a school in Providence to have the children write letters thanking me for my service, Mr. Joaquin said.

This trip was so well coordinated," said Mr. Joaquin. "This group needs to be commended. There's 50 veterans living here, and only two volunteered to go on the flight."

"The Washington trip was a big success," said Sheila Souza, Brookdale's program director. Mr. Whitney and Mr. Joaquin "are over the moon."

Mr. Joaquin has been a resident at Brookdale since 2009, when it was known as Sakonnet Bay Manor. "

Mr. Whitney, who said his wife died in 2010, has lived at Brookdale for six years.

Mr. Joaquin served as a driver for 19 of his 29-years service with the Fall River Fire Department, having joined the department when he was 35 years old and retiring at 65.

In the military, he was an aviation machinist, and did tours in Saipan, Okinawa, and Guam.

Mr. Whitney served with the U.S. Army Air Corps, stateside, during his years in the service, much of it as a radar mechanic in Boca Raton.

After the war, he said, he had an "electric power career in New England, including in Newport, Vermont, and Brockton, Massachusetts."

Mr. Whitney has lived in Tiverton since 1976, and is a member of the congregation at Amicable Church, where he has served as a Deacon.

This Honor Flight was sponsored by Wayne D. Moore, a Vietnam veteran and engineer from Warwick in honor of his father, WW II Army Private Roger W. Moore.

For information about the Honor Flights, and how to apply, call George Farrell at 401-741-7999, or write to RI Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub, 25 Fairbanks Street, Providence.

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