Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI
May 12, 2010, Front Page
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon
WWII vets enjoy trip to Washington D.C.
Local World War II veterans, Robert Luchterhand (left) and Bernard Walker (right), recently returned from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., where they visited the National World War II Memorial. Donald Simpson (center) accompanied them as their guardian. (Photo by Nancy Halterman/Clark County Press)
By Peter Spicer
Two area World War II veterans recently enjoyed a never Forgotten Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., to view the World War II Memorial and several other memorials.
Robert Luchterhand, 88, of Granton and Bernard Walker, 83, of Neillsville both visited the nation’s capitol April 27 after leaving Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee.
The veterans enjoyed a special program, dinner and other activities in Wausau before flying to Washington, D.C.
The Honor Flights provide transportation for the veterans, and volunteers to assist them, to the WWII Memorial and other war memorials in Washington, D. C., on a one day trip.
Private and commercial donors and regional veteran’s organizations support The Freedom Honor Flights.
Walker and Luchterhand joined over 100 others on the flight.
Neillsville resident Don Simpson, a registered operating room nurse at Neillsville’s Memorial Medical Center (MMC), attended the trip as a guardian to Luchterhand and another veteran from Edgar.
Simpson is the district president of the American Legion Riders, a group of American Legion members who are motorcycle enthusiasts. The group has raised funds for the Honor Flights through fundraisers.
Simpson has worked as a guardian for area veterans for a couple of years and enjoyed this most recent trip to Washington, D.C. “To me, it was an unforgettable experience,” said Simpson.
While in D.C., veterans viewed the Changing of the Guard; several memorials and spent approximately one and a-half hours at the World War II Memorial.
“Everything in Washington was especially good,” said Walker, who added lots of photos were taken at the World War II Memorial.
Of the monuments the veterans viewed, Luchterhand state he enjoyed the World War II Memorial the most.
Although spending time in Washington, D.C. was exciting, the veterans had a couple more surprises waiting for them.
During the flight home, solders received mail from students who appreciated their service.
Walker and Luchterhand each enjoyed reading the many letters from students of varying ages.
“[The letters] were pretty good,” said Luchterhand. When their plane arrived at the airport, many people, including friends and relatives, awaited the veterans.
“I waited 65 years to have a homecoming,” said Walker. “It was just great.”
Luchterhand echoed similar sentiments about the arrival home.
“This was something special,” said Luchterhand, who added “[The trip] was great.”
Many hugs and handshakes were exchanged as the veterans greeted those waiting their arrival.
Walker thanked those who organized the trip and stated he met “a lot of nice people” during the trip.
When this greeter asked WWII veteran Bernard Walker to help hold one side of her poster,
He was more than happy to do so. (Contributed photo)
Local Veterans Visit WWII Memorial
The National World War II Memorial includes 56 pillars, each 17 feet high. Each pillar is inscribed with the name of one of the 48 U. S. States in 1945, as well as the District of Columbia, the Alaska Territory, Hawaii Territory, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In this photo, the Wisconsin pillar is located just to the right of the large arch. Robert Luchterhand and Bernard Walker made the trip to Washington, D. C., in April 2010. (Contributed photo)