For 102 World War II veterans the second Triad Flight of Honor was the best day of their lives. Many said it ranked right up there with marrying their sweethearts and the day their children were born.

World War II veterans are known as the “Silent Generation” because they never talked about what they went through in the war. The Triad Flight of Honor, or any honor flight, is a way to honor those who served by sending them on a free trip to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II monument that opened in 2004.

Wednesday morning area veterans woke up as early as 2 a.m. for their flight. The majority said they had a hard time sleeping because they were so excited.

Navy Veteran Carroll Wagoner, 84, left his house with his guardian, a volunteer in charge of his care for the day, just before 5 a.m. His wife Foy, still in her nightgown, waved good-bye from the front porch of their home located in the outskirts of Dobson.

Army Air Force Veteran Ed Reynolds, 89, of Elkin, woke up around 3:30 a.m. to get ready for his journey to Washington, D.C. His guardian, who was also Wagoner’s volunteer, picked him up shortly after 5 a.m. The three headed down Interstate 77 toward Highway 421, with their sights set on getting to Piedmont Triad International Airport by 6:30 a.m.

When the group arrived at the airport, they were greeted by volunteers who came to welcome them and usher them into the airport where they would prepare to board Flight 9090 — destination Washington, D.C.

Inside the airport, Wagoner and Reynolds met the fourth member of their group, Otto Langhurst, 87, of Yadkinville, who had driven himself to the airport.

At 8 a.m. the veterans and guardians boarded the chartered U.S. Airways plane.

The flight took only about 39 minutes, landing at Reagan National Airport. Once the group deplaned, they were greeted by a cheering crowd and a band playing patriotic tunes. A couple of people even started dancing. The group moved through the airport to three chartered buses. They were divided into three teams, the red, white and the blue.

Certified Master Guide Jim Carr rode on the white bus with Langhurst, Wagoner and Reynolds. Wednesday’s tour was Carr’s 75th honor flights, but he said each one is special to him.

“I learn so much from these guys. It’s a real education for me. It is a real honor to be with them and to hear some of their stories. I really feel every single group of veterans is unique and worthy of thanks and respect,” Carr said.

Carr, a self-proclaimed history buff and newly retired Full Colonel 06 with the U.S. Army Reserves, explained each memorial or sight with great detail.

When the veterans arrived at the World War II Memorial he explained that the memorial honors the 16 million men and women who served in the armed forces of the U.S. He said there are 56 pillars representing the states and territories that aided in the war effort.

“One of the unique things about this monument is that it is dedicated to not only those who served in the war, but those who served on the home front as well. Under the Wall of Freedom you will see a pool of still water. Still water symbolizes death. Each star represents 100 soldiers who died in the war. More than 400,000 soldiers were KIA, or killed in action during, the war.

Carr explained that the monument’s designer, Fredrich St. Florian, had a sense of humor. “Kilroy was here” is etched in two inconspicuous places on the monument.

“During that time, you saw that (phrase) every place you went,” Carr said.

He explained that the there are two wreaths on each pillar. One side has an oak wreath, the other side has a wreath of wheat. The type of wreaths alternate on every pillar.

“The wheat wreath symbolizes the agricultural effort at home and the oak wreath symbolizes the industrial effort — how civilians produced the material and equipment needed in the war,” Carr said.

He also said that there is a twist line from the Navy connecting all of the pillars, symbolizing that all of the states and territories were working together.

As the veterans arrived at the memorial, they were greeted by Fifth District Rep. Virginia Foxx, Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr. Burr’s father, Dr. David Burr, was on the trip and got to visit his son’s office for the first time.

Former Sen. Bob Dole, who is known for his efforts to get the monument built and for greeting every group of veterans at the monument, did not disappoint the group Wednesday.

Langhurst said he got to speak with Dole briefly.

“I told him I wished he would have been president,” Langhurst said.

Navy Veteran Sid Bailey’s family came to be with him at the memorial. His son, Joe Bailey, said he and two sisters, Jeanne Lassiter and Nancy Bailey, and two grandchildren had come to be with him for the day.

After the group toured the WWII Memorial, they were treated to lunch under a tent near the memorial. From there, they were given a tour of downtown Washington. They rode past the Capitol and back through a maze of federal buildings, museums and statues.

The next stop was at the Lincoln Memorial, which is also near the Vietnam Wall and the Korean Memorial. Veterans and guardians had about 45 minutes to see all three. Some opted to stay on the buses.

Mary Boyles, 93, was the only woman veteran on the flight. She was an Army nurse in the war and now lives in Winston-Salem. She said she enjoyed the statue dedicated to nurses near the Vietnam Wall.

“It was beautiful and impressive,” she said of the statue.

The group then visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, which Carr explained was made up of four different rooms, each representing a term of Roosevelt’s presidency.

Dobson resident Kermit Draughn, 80, served in the Army during World War II. He and Reynolds recognized each other at the stop at the FDR Memorial. Draughn said it was the trip of a lifetime.

“I just loved it. I enjoyed every moment,” said Draughn.

The next stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial was one of the favorites of veterans. The 32-foot-high figures are shown erecting a 60-foot bronze flagpole from which a cloth flag flies 24 hours a day. Carr said the 50-star flag is changed quite regularly.

“The base of the memorial is made of Swedish granite. Burnished in gold on the granite are the names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the founding of the Corps, as well as the inscription, ‘In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775.’ Also inscribed on the base is the tribute of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz to the fighting men on Iwo Jima: ‘Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue.’”

Other than the WWII Memorial, Wagoner said he was most taken with the Iwo Jima Memorial.

On the last stop of the day before heading back to the airport, the group visited the Air Force Memorial.

Carr pointed out an inscription on the side of the memorial which were the words spoke by former President George W. Bush during the dedication of the memorial.

“A soldier can walk the battlefields where he once fought; a Marine can walk the beaches he once stormed; but an Airman can never visit the patch of sky he raced across on a mission to defend freedom and so it’s fitting that the men and women of the Air Force have this memorial, a place here on the ground that recognizes their achievements and sacrifices in the skies above.”

Army Veteran Pete Carroll, 93, said he had never flown before the Triad Flight of Honor. He went to war on a ship that took 10 days to get his troop to Europe. He fought in the war in 1944 and 1945. The return trip took seven days by ship.

While standing under the towering 270-foot memorial, Carroll pulled out a picture of himself that was taken during the war.

“Today is the highlight of my life,” Carroll said.

The group loaded up on the buses for the last time and headed back to the airport. They seemed tired but satisfied that their mission was accomplished.

As they boarded the flight home, Langhurst said flying was nothing new to him.

“I jumped out of the first plane I ever went up in.”

After a 40 minute flight, the veterans touched down once again to receive their third water cannon salute of the day.

“This is the cleanest plane in the U.S. Airways fleet,” said one of the flight’s crewman.

It is estimated that there were 1,200 in attendance during the flight’s welcome home ceremony, which was twice as many as for the inaugural flight on Oct. 3.

On Friday, Langhurst reflected on his experience on the trip.

“I was dead tired, but that was the most fabulous trip that I’ve ever taken. It was something else. They really screamed and hollered when we came back to the airport,” Langhurst said.

His grandson and great-grandson and two daughters were waiting for him at the airport. Throughout the day he mentioned that no one would be waiting for him at the airport.

“It was a big surprise. They did a fabulous job. It was nice. The World War II Memorial was amazing. I also enjoyed the FDR Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial. The welcome at the airport was great. When we got to Washington it was great.”

He said he enjoyed seeing Foxx.

“She is one of my favorite people,” Langhurst said.

Reynolds said it was the trip of a lifetime as well.

“I think it was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I was a long day, but I enjoyed it. They (the memorials) were all good. Iwo Jima was really good. I was tickled to find out where it was at.”

His son, Frank, and daughter-in-law, Sue, and his wife, Priscilla, picked him up at the airport. He said he didn’t go to bed until around midnight that night.

Wagoner’s daughter, Harriett Childress, and extended family welcomed him home with tears in their eyes. He greet her and other family members with hugs. Childress held a sign that read, “Daddy, You are my hero.”

Jeff Sims, a 24-year veterans and a major in the North Carolina Army National Guard, was the flight director for the day and is president of the Greensboro Airport Rotary.

Sims said World War II veterans are a special breed because they are known as the “Silent Generation” because they never talked about what they went through in the war. The Triad Flight of Honor is a way to honor those who served by sending them on a free trip to Washington to see the World War II monument that opened in 2004.

“For over 60 years, many of these veterans felt their efforts during the war were forgotten. While they never asked for this and certainly never expected it, the community response has been simply overwhelming in financial support and genuine interest. In the twilight of their lives, these veterans truly feel the love, admiration and appreciation from an entire community for their service and sacrifice. It is a deeply personal and emotional experience that no one involved will ever forget.”

At least five flights are scheduled for next year. Rotary District 7690, which is sponsoring the event, is still in need of donations. It costs $500 per veteran and $200 per guardian for the trip. Donations can be made to local rotary groups or at any BB&T location in the greater Triad area.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.