On this Memorial Day, a story about one veteran’s trip to Washington DC to honor those who fought and didn’t return.
Walter Eugene “Bugs” Hill served in the Army from 1942 to 1945. At the end of April, he traveled to the District of Columbia with the Puget Sound Honor Flight network to visit World War II memorials erected in honor of veterans and the fallen.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created to honor veterans for their service. The network transports veterans, free of charge, (priority is given to senior veterans, World War II survivors and terminally ill) to the District of Columbia to visit and reflect on memorials dedicated to their service.
Along with the 56 veterans flying out of Seattle – an additional 50 guardians tagged along.
One was Dennis Hill, Walter’s son. The pair flew to D.C. and participated in a rigorous tour of memorials and monuments from April 24 to April 25.
The World War II Memorial was the first stop. Then the group trekked to the Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam, FDR, Navy, and The American Veterans Disabled for Life memorials.
Day two featured visits to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Marine Corps, and Air Force memorials.
Bugs Hill called it – a “trip of a lifetime.