Visit to memorial a wish fulfilled for WWII vets

WASHINGTON - Thomas Hitt, 87, of North Little Rock said he had considered not shaking the hand of any politician he saw on his trip Saturday to visit the World War II Memorial on the National Mall.

“But I did,” he said, adding that he’s a Democrat and likes U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor.

Some had worried the gates would be barred after more than 125 World War II veterans from Mississippi and Iowa were initially kept out of the memorial Tuesday, until they pushed aside barriers to get in. National parks across the country closed Tuesday because of the federal budget impasse.

The National Park Service made provisions Wednesday to allow veterans groups into the memorial during the government shutdown. Spokesman Carol Johnson said the Honor Flight Network is being granted access to conduct First Amendment activities at the memorial. On Saturday, no one was turned away, and the park ranger at the entrance simply shook veterans’ hands and wished them a nice day.

The gates were open at the World War II Memorial as 78 Arkansas veterans walked to the entrance through a phalanx of flag-waving volunteers who shook their hands and gave them hugs.

Hitt called the inability to negotiate a shutdown “terrible,” before changing the topic. Hitt donated money to help build the memorial and carries in his wallet the Lifetime Charter Member card he received. He served in the Navy.

“I wanted to see this before I died,” he said. “It’s something all World War IIvets should see.”

Pryor and U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., met the veterans and their families at the airport. U.S. Reps. Steve Womack, Tom Cotton and Tim Griffin, all Arkansas Republicans, helped the veterans get off the buses.

The veterans posed for photos, called the Hogs and meandered through the amphitheater-style memorial.

Bill Couch, 89, of Arkadelphia said Congress wouldn’t have shut down the government if everyone treated one another the way the veterans were treated Saturday, with aband at the airport and cheering crowds of volunteers.

“There wouldn’t be any problems,” the former Air Force pilot said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Clarence Pedigo, 93, of Roland said he is grateful that the trip could go ahead despite the shutdown. He served in the Army.

He said Congress frustrates him.

“I don’t like it, but I guess we’ll have to put up with it,” he said. “I’m just glad to be here.”

Former ice-cream magnate Albert Yarnell, 89, of Searcy called the memorial overwhelming.

“I’m glad somebody made it possible to get in,” he said. “This trip has been planned a long time.”

Groups from Florida, Minnesota and New York also visited Saturday. The honor flights take veterans of the nation’s wars to visit memorials, according to the Honor Flight Network, which is funded by donations.

The flights began in 2005 shortly after the World War II Memorial was completed, according to the group’s website, honorflight.org

Front Section, Pages 9 on 10/06/2013

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