CHICAGO, 2012-08-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ninety-six World War II veterans from the Chicago area got up bright and early today, and headed to Midway International Airport for a special send-off celebration prior to their departure to Washington, D.C. for a day trip to visit the WWII Memorial.
The veterans will experience a day of remembrance and reminiscing for some who have waited more than 60 years to see the WWII Memorial courtesy of Honor Flight Chicago. The veterans will also visit the Iwo Jima, Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam memorials. Honor Flight Chicago and Southwest Airlines facilitate the trips. Volunteers from the United Service Organizations (USO) ofIllinois provide assistance to the veterans as they travel through Midway.
On today’s flight, Willenger Fox was accompanied by his daughter, Susan Sidell. Fox, 99, was the oldest veteran making the trip. He served as a Major and flight surgeon in the Air Force from 1940 to 1945 and saw action in Africa, Panama and Europe.
Some of the other veterans traveling today included brothers Rudolph White, who served in the Army Air Forces and Thomas Hayes, an Army veteran. Both brothers attended DuSable High School in Chicago. White, 87, who now lives in Waukegan, IL, served from 1943 to 1946, mainly in Italy. He received a Bronze Battle Star and Good Conduct Medal for his service. Hayes, 85, was in Germany from 1945 to 1947.
The morning’s departure celebration featured a performance by the vocal trio “Legacy Girls,” who pay tribute to the famous Andrew Sisters, a successful, close harmony singing group of the of the 1930s and 40s. The Legacy Girls perform popular songs of the World War II era and conduct roll-call for all branches of the Armed Services.MidwayAirport Concessions (MAC One) provided breakfast sandwiches, coffee and juice for the veterans before boarding their plane.
Hundreds of family, friends and supporters will welcome the veterans when they return to Midway this evening. In addition, dozens of active duty military personnel; the USO of Illinois; and Chicago Police Department Pipes and Drums Corps will participate in the arrival festivities.
This is Honor Flight Chicago’s seventh flight of the 2012 season, which runs through October.
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Major Willinger Fox, Army Flight Surgeon and his daughter, Susan Sidell.
Military brothers Rudolph White and Thomas Hayes