Thank a Village WWII Veteran

[F16 1UB]

I'm asking ANYONE who reads this to send a "Thank you for your service" letter to: VILLAGES HONOR FLIGHT, PO BOX 490, LADY LAKE, FL 32158-0490.....on the back of the envelope put PAUL JOHNSON.

I've been selected as a Guardian to escort a WWII veteran to Washington DC on May 25 to tour his memorial and other monuments. The organization sponsoring this trip is called Honor Flight.

The veterans will be given their letters upon departure from DC. They truly are overwhelmed with the response. Nothing fancy.....just a heart felt thank you.

Regards,

Steve

[weaverk65]

Will do! My husband and I just recently applied to be Guardians, but it will most likely be Fall before we're called on to go. Looking forward to the April and May Homecomings ... we went to the March 26 Homecoming and it was absolutely awesome!

Everyone should check out The Villages Honor Flight - they're also on Facebook.
Villages Honor Flight Network (http://www.villageshonorflight.org)

[marianne237]

My 90 year old uncle from Indiana was on a honor flight out of Midway Airport last October. He was 17 when he was a waist gunner on a B17. In talking with him after his trip, he told me through tears that this was one of the best days of his life. I couldn't be more proud of him.

[KatieDidNot]

I'm asking ANYONE who reads this to send a "Thank you for your service" letter to: VILLAGES HONOR FLIGHT, PO BOX 490, LADY LAKE, FL 32158-0490.....on the back of the envelope put PAUL JOHNSON.

I've been selected as a Guardian to escort a WWII veteran to Washington DC on May 25 to tour his memorial and other monuments. The organization sponsoring this trip is called Honor Flight.

The veterans will be given their letters upon departure from DC. They truly are overwhelmed with the response. Nothing fancy.....just a heart felt thank you.

Regards,

Steve

Steve, I was recently told by the VA here that we had a couple of WWII vets here in The Villages. I was quite excited. Lucky you, I can guarantee the trip will be as heartwarming for you as it is for Mr. Johnson.

As a recent military retiree myself, I would be more than happy to write a letter if I could get a few more particulars such as where did he serve, any specific missions, medals etc... Just something to make it more personal.

Thanks for doing what you are doing, and thanks to all who have volunteered to help out this organization. You all are doing a good thing.

Katie

[MOMMYS3ANGLS]

I would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to our "local" Villages Transportation for volunteering their services to help our Vets with all of the Villages Honor Flights. My understanding is that the owner, Debbie Laufersky, donates her vehicles, fuel and drivers time to this amazing organization. What a huge heart for such a small company.

[F16 1UB]

Please send a "Letter" to WWII Veteran Mr. Paul Johnson and thank him for his service NLT May 20th.

Paul Johnson
Enlisted in Army Air Corps May 1943
Discharged November 3, 1945 as Aviation Cadet

Trained to be aircrew, navigation, or bombardier. Attended Texas A&M, spent time in San Antonio, Waco & other locations

Flew & worked on B-25's & BT-13's

Paul loves football and played in college. He also captured 440 yd record in running track. Hence "Football".

Did I mention that he was also lightweight Golden Glove Champion.

Send letter to address below

VILLAGES HONOR FLIGHT, PO BOX 490, LADY LAKE, FL 32158-0490.....on the back of the envelope put PAUL JOHNSON.

[KatieDidNot]

Army Air Corp...and an Aggie...very cool! I will write my letter this afternoon, and it will be in the mail tomorrow.

Katie

[Frozen1]

The actual letter is in the mail, but I thought it would be interesting if some could share what there's look like, if nothing else but to inspire more letters.

Like so many others from your generation, I know you all served this country with honor and pride and I am extremely thankful for you. Your service provided this country, and the world, the opportunity to triumph over evil and demonstrate how the love of all humanity has no borders or political affiliations.

It is my understanding that you were part of the Army Air Corps. I’m sure you remember the theme song, “Off we go, into the wild blue yonder…..” and as a child attending a private school, we would have a Patriotic Program annually and sing each services’ theme song. To this day if I hear or sing it, I still use the words “Army Air Corps” as I never learned it with the words “Air Force”.

I’m sure that throughout your life you have travelled back in your memories, and thought of your friends, your fellow crew members, and perhaps even the occassional thought of a commander. It’s those kinds of memories which can take us back to a time when true friendships and the willingness to lay down your life for those friends made sense. It defined your character for the remainder of life.

While I have never met you Paul, and most likely never will, I am honored to be a veteran myself, but I also understand and believe that your war, so long ago, was the one that changed our world. And for that, I’m so grateful to have had the chance to write this letter of appreciation and gratitude for you.

I sincerely hope you find joy and pleasure onboard your Honor Flight, and that you are able to almost smell the memories of your earlier days. While I give my salutes sparingly these days, I believe you deserve a sharp and crisp one for your service and sacrifices.

[KatieDidNot]

The actual letter is in the mail, but I thought it would be interesting if some could share what there's look like, if nothing else but to inspire more letters.

\

O.K., I will share my letter too. Please forgive me, I left out my full name and rank and signature block to protect my identity on the internet. But, here it is and a signed hard copy will be in the mail tomorrow.

Dear Mr. Johnson,
My name is _______________, and I am a recent retiree from the United States Air Force. I would imagine that you might be quite surprised to receive a letter from a female veteran, who was not a nurse or part of a pool of typists. My years in the Air Force were the best years of my life and it was an honor to serve during Desert Storm, Uphold Democracy (Haiti), Kosovo, and of course Iraq and Afganistan. But none of those wars/conflicts could even begin to compare in total to either WWI or WWII.

You are truly an inspiration Sir, and to be given the opportunity to write you in person in an absolute pleasure. I would like to thank you for your service to this great Country of ours, and being a true pioneer of the US Aviation era. Although the B-25 Mitchell has long been retired, what a great aircraft it was and personal favorite of two of our Nation’s 5-star Generals, President Eisenhower and General Henry Hap Arnold. I am certain you have many exciting adventures to share and some wonderful memories. I hope those memories are relived with your upcoming trip.

I would be amiss for not mentioning your Service with the Army Air Corps. You Sir, and all the wonderful men assigned to the Army Air Corps are responsible for the creation in 1947 of what is now known as the United States Air Force. People like yourself had the wisdom and foresight of Aviation’s potential as a separate Military Service on its own merit. And because of you the United States Air Force today is simply the greatest and most technologically advanced Air Force in the World with literally thousands of aircraft in its past and current inventory.

Thank-you Sir for being there at the beginning. Thank-you for helping pave that road for our Country’s aviation efforts. Several of us would say in the Air Force, “Sleep Well America”. Today’s Military as a whole is the reason that America can still sleep well. I would like to personally assure you that although many years have gone by, the Military you left is still proud, it is still strong and filled with the smartest, most dedicated warriors this Nation has to offer. They are all good citizens, and I retired very confident that our Military has been left to a new generation of very competent warriors…so Sir, please sleep well, and thank-you again for your Service to this Country. And God Bless the men and women that are out there serving this Country right now to protect the freedoms of us all. I hope we made you proud.

Very Respectfully,

My Personal Signature Block

Katie

[Frozen1]

Very well stated and put Katie. Excellent writing skills!

[nancy03743]

I'm asking ANYONE who reads this to send a "Thank you for your service" letter to: VILLAGES HONOR FLIGHT, PO BOX 490, LADY LAKE, FL 32158-0490.....on the back of the envelope put PAUL JOHNSON.

I've been selected as a Guardian to escort a WWII veteran to Washington DC on May 25 to tour his memorial and other monuments. The organization sponsoring this trip is called Honor Flight.

The veterans will be given their letters upon departure from DC. They truly are overwhelmed with the response. Nothing fancy.....just a heart felt thank you.

Regards,

Steve

Dear Steve,

Thank you for this address and opportunity. My friend Michelle is escorting her father Ralph Filion I believe May 18 on this honor flight. I wrote a letter to him to thank him for his service but did not realize I could send a letter to the address you provided. My father Mike Gilara (deceased) was in the first wave on Omaha Beach and survived 4 years of the war along with 4 other battles. I never thanked dad as it never crossed my mind & maybe I was too young enough to understand it but now because of your address I am able to thank others. I read the book recently "World War II" and never realized what the veterans went through. My husband also toured the beaches of Normandy & brought back picture's. World War II veterans are hero's in my book! Thanks again, Nancy

[OnTrack]

Those are some truly awesome letters folks, that mirrors most of my appreciation and admiration for our...... "Greatest Generation." :thumbup:



To you Steve, let me say that what you're doing.....is truly inspirational also. :BigApplause:


.

[mac9]

Honor Flight is a fantastic organization. There will be a benefit concert at the Church on the Square Thursday, June 6, 2013 @ 7pm. The performers will be Billie Thatcher and the Dorels, both of whom are appearing gratis for this fine organization. Tickets can be bought at the Villages Box Office.:BigApplause:

[F16 1UB]

I received notice from a Girl Scout Troop in Coral Springs, FL that made a banner, signed it, and mailed it.

There's still time remaining to send a letter.

Semper Fi

[F16 1UB]

At our final meeting today, prior to departure, the Guardians were told that there was so much mail that although some mail will be given to the Veterans during "mail call" the rest will be sent home with them. They can NEVER receive too many letters of thanks. Please continue.

And the Veterans have NO idea of "mail call". That's the way we want to keep it until our return flight home....when they receive their mail.