By KAREN MUNDY

The Press-News

"I'm not a hero; the guys who did not come back are the heroes."

hose are the words spoken by Ed Bieri of Alliance upon his return from spending a day in Washington D.C., with Honor Flight of Akron-Canton. His statement was reflected many times throughout the day by many of the almost 100 World War II veterans on the trip.

However, as the day unfolded, it was apparent that many others definitely considered these men and women heroes. They were treated with the greatest care by those who went along as volunteers. They were greeted with fanfare at both the D.C. and Akron-Canton airports. During the day, complete strangers stopped to say, "Thank you for your service to our country."

I first heard of Honor Flight when I was reporting on Veterans Day activities in the Canton Local School District. Valerie Street Kinney, a teacher in the district who was already active in veterans activities at her school, began working with Honor Flight CAK. She has since become a program director with the organization, which offers World War II veterans the opportunity to travel to D.C. for the day absolutely free.

When asked by Kinney if I would want to go on the May 3 Honor Flight, I jumped at the opportunity. I knew it would be a great experience to spend the day with this special group of people who are known as "The Greatest Generation." As a reporter, I have always found the veterans humble and extremely grateful for whatever news coverage they receive. If anything, they are a little taken back by all the attention.

I went along as both a guardian and as a reporter/photographer. Every Honor Flight includes a program director, bus captains, team leaders and guardians. I was a guardian and the three veterans I had the privilege of spending the day with were Paul Williams of East Sparta, a veteran of the United States Army who served in the European Theater; Kenneth Westover of Wooster, a veteran of the Army who also was in Europe; and John VanAuker of North Jackson, an Army veteran who served in Japan.

All three had been on a waiting list for at least a year to go on one of the trips, and all three were thrilled to be going.

All the volunteers met at the airport by 5:30 a.m. to pick up their T-shirts, bags and other information for the day. The veterans were not supposed to arrive until after 6 a.m., but quite a few were there before their guardians. It was probably for the best, because with pacemakers, knee and hip replacements, wheelchairs and more -- going through security definitely took some time. However, the employees of U.S. Airways treated everyone with kindness and dignity throughout the day.

The day was completely scheduled, but the veterans were given opportunities to rest and go at their own pace.

The flight arrived at Reagan National Airport at 9:10 a.m. to a "cannons of water salute" by the Washington D.C. Fire Department while we were still on the plane and to a host of greeters with flags, balloons, banners and posters in the airport. Many of the veterans had tears in their eyes. George Tomko, who wore his U.S. Navy uniform and was in a wheelchair, wept and saluted the crowd. John Dodds of Uhrichsville, also in a wheelchair, sang "God Bless, America." He later told me that he had been in a choir for many years, and he sings everywhere to honor his late daughter, Hope, who had been a country-western singer in Nashville.

In the nation's capital, we first visited the World War II Memorial. The experience was an emotional one and many talked about the memories it brought back. Just about everyone had a story.

Paul Williams had been on a waiting list for a little over a year to go on an Honor Flight trip. Williams said he was grateful that he was able to see the World War II Memorial for the first time. Williams had served in Normandy, northern France and other placing in Europe during the war. He was a cook and often prepared meals for 100 soldiers on a field stoves, powered by "white gasoline." His culinary skills have continued when he helps out with the Isaac L. Kinney American Legion Post 244 get-togethers in East Sparta.

Westover, who was from a family of nine, told me he had signed up for an extra stint with the U.S. Army so he could visit the grave of his brother in France. His brother, Leroy, was killed at 19 years old while in combat. Kenneth also had a sister who served in the states in the Women's Air Corps. Even after 60-plus years, tears still come to Kenneth's eyes when he talks about his brother.

Tomko, the sailor who saluted the crowd, shared his story upon his arrival home, how meaningful the trip was to him, especially since he is terminally ill with cancer. He had served as a photographer with the United States Navy, and his photographs of the cemetery dedications at Iwo Jima are still on display at the Veterans Administration Building in Akron. "It was an honor to wear my uniform again and to spend time with and in reverence to those who have served before me, with me and after me," he said.

Since returning home Tomko's health has deteriorated rapidly. However, his daughter commented, "He enjoyed himself immensely...His dying wish was to go on this flight and to make more information public about this opportunity."

Both of his wishes became a reality. He not only made it on the trip, but his dignified appearance in the gleaming, white uniform, his salute and the look of pride mixed with gratefulness, will be a picture I will live with for the rest of my life. I'm sure that scene of this sailor as well as the smiles, tears and joyful faces of the other veterans will make a mark on a lot of other people as well.

All the veterans on the flight later visited the Iwo Jima Memorial, as well as the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall and Lincoln Memorial. In addition, the Honor Flight participants were all given a bus tour of Washington D.C.

Al Bailey, an Honor Flight director in the Dayton area and a bus captain on the trip, took the time to share many of the facts about the various sites in D.C. Kinney, who also served as one of the bus captains, had mail call for all the veterans, when they received "thank you" letters from Stark County area students.

Our group returned to Akron-Canton Airport just a little after 7 p.m. The veterans were given "honorable discharge papers" and then sent home with another heroes' welcome by a large crowd in the Akron-Canton Airport.

With about 1,200 World War II veterans dying each day, it is a rewarding feeling to know that you may have helped give them a day to cherish for the time they still have left on this earth. The volunteers were given T-shirts that said "All gave some, some gave all." We just gave one day of our life, but many of those we shared the day with gave so much more. It was a privilege to serve those who have spent so much of their lives serving others.