(l-r) Francis “Frank” Villano, Wallingford, and James “Red” Corr, Sturbridge, MA, served on the same aircraft in the Air Force.These two veterans flew 35 missions. “The gals loved them for it!” Francis says, “I got to know ten guys within two years and I formed a brother-like camaraderie.”

story & photos
by Angela Olsen

One hundred and two World War II Veterans left for a trip to visit their Memorial in Washington, DC on Saturday, May 1.  What these veterans might not know is how many extraordinary surprises are waiting for them due to the passion of Chris Coutu, founder of the non-profit organization AmericanWarrior, Jody Barr, Rich Buzon, John Haskell and Adair Hendrickson. 

Peter Pan and Foxwoods provided buses to transport the Vets to Bradley International Airport, but this is no dog-and-pony show!  There were bagpipes, Harley-Davidson motor-group escorts, about 50-bikes deep – to be clear, the Vets will be met with a motorcade of presidential proportions!  To speak to the volunteers, however, it can never be too much for the sacrifices made by these patriots. 

Ernest “Ernie” Sunega, Niantic, was in the Navy, and every day at his high school, there was an American Flag flying in the common area. A star was placed on the flag as another soldier was lost. The sense of patriotism at this point was so fierce, that Ernie left school and enlisted in 1944. He says that, “people don’t realize how close Hitler was to England! It was either a guardian angel or plain stupidity!” He also spoke of the A, B, C-ticket-system of food rationing when he returned from the war, and how poor our country was.

It takes a village! Northeast Utilities kindly enlisted some of their own volunteers who helped with the check-in process at Bradley.  As the flight departed, the Vets received a water-cannon salute, and another as they landed in our Nation’s Capitol. 

On each side of the aircraft were 15 people, waving “Old Glory” and 20 U.S. Navy Officers, who also saluted the vets as they walked right into 200 people, a full band, dancers dressed in red, white and blue, and Boy Scouts.  This is a proper hero’s welcome to DC!

When the veterans left the airport in DC, they received another world-class escort by patriotic motorcycle groups. They stopped traffic at every light so that the heroes, to the tune of a bugler playing Taps, could make their way to the World War II Memorial where Bob Dole was waiting to greet them.  Five hundred veterans from around the United States joined them there, with the farthest traveling from Washington State.

A group of people with ties to Connecticut organized a group called Connecticut Society, and their volunteers led the “Warriors” to other memorials in DC, like the Women’s World War II Memorial. 

In fact, Jack Casey, Groton,  drove down to DC to study the intersections, and learn as many alternative routes as possible.  For example, if a Vet would like to travel to the Vietnam Memorial, Jack knows exactly how many steps it will take from point A to point B.  Now that’s passion!

“It’s their day,” says Jody Barr. Once Jody became involved with AmericanWarrior, he quickly learned that the rewards from this experience are beyond words.

Guardians are the volunteers accompanying the Vets on this trip. They are taught the more they put into this experience, the more they get out of it.  They get to know their Veterans, spend time with them and their families and are responsible for making sure that they do not pay for anything, as Jody says, “They have already given… so much.”

Francis “Fran” Rago, Waterford, was 23 when he enlisted in 1944, and says that there was tremendous pride in fighting for our freedoms. He was in the Captain’s Third Army, and loved General George Patton.

The Guardians help with designing custom t-shirts for the Vets. These shirts are considered such an honor, that some veterans ask to be buried in them.  “The trip winds up becoming so much more, so revealing, it allows the Vets to really open up,” Jody tells me.  On previous trips, Vets revealed secrets to their families that were shrouded in mystery since the war.

As the day draws to a close, and the Warriors make their way to the gate to board their return flight home, there was a dozen couples swing dancing in costume.  The Vets were given Challenge Coins, AmericanWarrior Coins to be exact, that bear the logo on one side and 4,000 stars on the other side to commemorate their trip.  This is when Final Mail Call was conducted, and each veteran received 10 personalized letters from students from all over Connecticut, expressing their gratitude.  It is truly heartwarming.

Waiting for the heroes at Bradley International Airport, the Marquis of Granby Fife and Drum Corps  sounded. There was a Pledge of Allegiance and the Corps fired again. The Vets began marching down the corridor like soldiers. As they rounded the corner, they found 1,000 peoplewaiting for their homecoming including the Glamour-Girls, decked-out in clothing from the 1940’s, waiting to “dance the night away.” 

According to Jody Barr the energy in the room on return, is so tangible, that a man on the last trip, who was confined to a wheel chair all day, was so taken with emotion, he stood up, and “danced like no one has ever danced before!”