Tulsa World: Veterans set sights on WWII memorial visit

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Veterans set sights on WWII memorial visit
Oklahoma veterans are getting excited about fundraising to send them to the site.

Jim Deer (left) chats with fellow 8th Air Force member Jerry Getis at the Wings Over Tulsa event at the Jones Airport in Jenks on Saturday. Rip Stell / for the Tulsa World

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 11/8/2009 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2009 9:17 AM

Find more information about the Oklahoma Honor Flights group and the national organization at:

tulsaworld.com/okhonorflights

tulsaworld.com/honorflightnetwork

OKLAHOMA CITY — An organization that is working to send World War II veterans to the nation's capital to see the memorial built in their honor has generated excitement among Oklahomans who served.

"I would like to see the (World War II) memorial," said James O. Deer, 86, of Sapulpa, who served with the 445th Bombardment Group, 703rd Squadron. "I have never seen it. I would just like to accidentally run across somebody in my bombardment group."

Deer's plane was shot down after bombing Hamburg, Germany.

"Eight were killed and two of us were captured," he said. "I spent a few days with the Gestapo as their guest."

Deer was a prisoner of war for seven months.

Last week, Gov. Brad Henry urged private support for the fledgling Oklahoma Honor Flights, which is raising money to send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to see the World War II Memorial. Priority is given to World War II veterans and terminally ill veterans from all wars. The group has a waiting list.

Opened in 2004, the World War II Memorial honors

the 16 million people who served during World War II, the 400,000 who died and the millions who supported the war effort from home.

"I think any American, when they go to Washington, D.C., it is an awesome experience and will make a patriot out of a left-leaning liberal," said Steve Coleman, chairman of Oklahoma Honor Flights.

The group has raised about $20,000 so far, Coleman said. But more will be needed. The group is planning a two-day trip between May 8 and June 6, he said.

Barney Mecom, 84, of Tulsa was with the 100th Infantry Division and served in Europe and the Korean War.

"You bet," he said. "I think it would just be a marvelous thing to see."

George Gideon, 87, of Skiatook was with the 84th Infantry Division and served in Europe.

"I just would like to see some of the things that maybe would revive some memories," Gideon said.

O.C. Rush, 89, of Grove served in the Navy as a radioman and was in the Pacific. He said he and his family have never been able to afford a trip to Washington.

"I would love to see that new memorial for World War II," Rush said.

"I always felt like they should have one. It took them a lot of years to get it."

Albert Willoughby, 86, of Midwest City served in the 8th Air Force as a pilot. In June 2009, he went on an Honor Flights trip sponsored by the group's Dallas branch. It included a visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Arlington National Cemetery.

Willoughby said strangers thanked the group for saving the country.

He said wounded veterans at the medical center thanked them for serving.

"It was really an emotional experience, having people that lost limbs and other serious injuries thanking us for our service to the country," Willoughby said. "We didn't have nearly the difficult times that some of them were having."

Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau

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	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/8/2009 9:56:31 AM) God bless you Mr. Deer, Mr. Getis, Mr. MeCom, Mr. Gideon, Mr. Rush, Mr. Willouhby, and all the World War II veterans for saving our country. You are the hero's that I've always admired and held in esteem since I was a little boy. Enjoy your well deserved trip.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/8/2009 3:45:55 PM) Amen Bren. Please express my gratitude to your brave father and uncle for their bravery in World War II.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/8/2009 3:48:19 PM) Many of the men I served with in Vietnam died from suicide partially for the way we were treated and the cancer from agent orange. RIP Bravo platoon.
	Report Comment Slatz, Tulsa (11/9/2009 4:46:02 PM) Bet these guys have some great stories...Gramps joined the service on 11/11/42 and was in the Seabees in the Pacific constructing air strips on tiny, remote islands. Needless to say, the Japanese didn't want them to succeed so snipers and air raids were not unusual. Plus he got a bad case of malaria. He made it home for 1 week in the whole 3 years! These guys were tough!
	Report Comment Bren, Wagoner (11/8/2009 10:56:14 AM) My 91 yr old father is a WW11 vet and he is nearly deaf and is legally blind. I also have an Uncle who is 90 who served in WW11, Korea, and Vietnam. These are the men that deserve our Thanks for a job well done. My Dad gets all of his health care at the VA hospital in Muskogee. They are wonderful to him. Someone there is always thanking him for what he did. The state of Oklahoma needs to be proud of these men and let them know they are proud. My Dad says the heros were the ones that didn't come home. If you have a Vet in your family from any war, let them know they are appreciated. Our WW11 vets are going rapidly as are our Korean Vets. The least appreciated group are the Vietnam Vets. These men also fought and gave their lives. I do not approve of any war, but we must always support our troups in any way possible and this effort to get Vets to DC to see the memorial is to be commended.
	Report Comment Charley, (11/8/2009 9:39:48 AM) Most governmental;y budgeted funds are never monitored, to insure the allocated funds are spent on dedicated projects. The annual budgets for streets has been pilfered for years & we wonder why the streets are a mess. Our entire infrastructure is in need & the politicians continue to waste precious funds. Our politicians & bureaucratic employees have no shame. The funds were thrown away on fraud, waste & abuse. Someone is guilty & they need to be sought out. This kind of money management needs to be stopped, NOW!

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