Dad had a Dream

Back in April, actually on Dad's Birthday, his Dream came true.

A Veterans Banquet ~" Harvey's Carvings for Veterans"

Hoping to raise enough money to take 3 Wounded Vets on a 

Chartered Fishing Trip on Lake Michigan.

The remainder of monies raised was to be given to 

Wausau's Honor Flight Chapter ~ 

"The Never Forgotten Honor Flight"

Little did he know, did any of us know, 

that he would not only take three vets fishing,

but he would also send 

20 WWII Vets to Washington DC on a Honor Flight.

 I think the biggest surprise, that Dad too would be on that  

Honor Flight - September 19th.

His guardian for this trip, his son John, 

the one who made his Dream come true

 Each Honor Flight has a banquet the evening before the Flight.

At the entrance, two young boys, dressed the part,

handing out "WAR ENDS" newspapers!

 This group really does a wonderful job for the WWII Vets.

88 Vets and their guardians, were treated to a special evening

of song, food, and most of all Honored for their Service.

A special evening surrounded by some of his children.

And when he came home off that Honor Flight....

he was greeted by a banner Kim made.

I often wondered who was there to greet Dad when he came home from service.

Chris and I and Brian were there waiting for him this time, 

along with hundreds, and I mean

HUNDREDS of people from Wausau 

and the surrounding area came to greet their loved ones home.

 It was priceless to see the look on his face when he saw our banner.

His first words to us "It was Fabulous"

He shared a story that he came home with only a toothbrush.

His duffle bags were stolen at the train station.

Another story I was told of how I got my name.

"Jacqueline" was actually a gal he had met and dated while in service!!

We came home that night to sit around his dinning room table,

to listen to him recap the day.

One thing he said stuck in my mind......

"I told someone, that this will be my last trip.....

but it will be one of my Greatest Trips"

Our Hero, Our Dad