Washington, DC (WBEN) After starting at the World War II Memorial, the veterans of Honor Flight continued their journey to two more military monuments, The Korea Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
Fred Nussbaum served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. "It's just awesome, all the names, and what struck me the most were the gifts on the ground," says Nussbaum. He says he found a name he was looking for, a high school classmate Mark Vandherheid.
Fred nussbaum's high school friend kilted in Veetnam.Tom Puckett WBEN Photo
Vietnam Veteran Bob Asel was an Army medic. "I hoped I took good care of those hit. I saw a lot of them get hit," says Asel. He says the wall brings him memories who didn't come home, as well as those who did.
Buffalo Bill James Kalsu's name on the Vietnam Veterans WallTom Puckett WBEN Photo
Vietnam Vets MemorailTom Puckett WBEN Photo
Ron Manel says his childhood was worse than in Vietnam, and calls his service a miracle. "To a lot of who I call Doris Day kids, who knew baseball and t-ball, when they got to Vietnam, it was a living hell for them," says Mangel. "A lot of them have put Pandora in the box and don't dare let it out." He says the experience made him emotional.
The next stop was the Korean Conflict Memorial. One highlight of that was the presentation of the Ambassador of Peace medal to 97 year old Russ Casterline, who served as a Marine in Korea. "An artilery shell landed within 15 feet, and I was hit with a mortal shell, blown out of a hole and had 32 holes in me," says Casterline, who was recognized for his fundraising efforts for a Korean veterans memorial.
Casterline says he's honored and humbled to receive the medal. His impressions of the memorial? "It puts a feeling in the heart with the guys you served with," says Casterline.
Wally Kolodziel was emotional at the Korean Memorial. "It's heartbreaking to see those statues, and they're so lively, it's unbelievable," says Kolodziel, who served in the Army as a quartermaster stateside. "These guy (on the frontlines) were unbelievable." He says it was a tough time for everybody, both at home and in the service.
Archie Olezzkowski was in the Navy during Korea. "I've never been here before, and I'm very impressed. I'm so impressed with everything I've done here," says Oleszkowski. He was a hospital corpsman during the war. "It's so long ago, it's just a memory, but all I know is, I can't tell you how I feel, it's difficult to say how I feel," he says of his experience in Korea.
The next stops will be Arlington National Cemetery and the Marine Memorial.
