Wayne Emigh of Knox served a little over a year in Japan during World War II.
“I was in Occupation Forces. Occupation Japan. I was with the Signal Service Battalion keeping communications going for our troops,” recalled Emigh.
Emigh admits that he’s seen the World War II Memorial a few times, but each time it tells a different story.
“Ah. To me, it told a big story. It’s a very nice tribute to the troops to anybody involved in World War II. It’s well worth seeing for anybody.”
Since the government shut down on Tuesday, which Emigh said “perturbed” him a little, the veterans weren’t able to get into some roped off areas, but overall the entire troop of veterans had a great experience.
Emigh was the third Starke County resident to be part of an Honor Flight experience. Harvey Hammerlund and Joe Smrt have also taken similar trips to Washington, D. C.
Emigh was able to be a part of this experience thanks to his daughter who signed him up by visiting the Honor Flight’s website, www.honorflight.org. The trip, Emigh said, was at no cost to him or to the other veterans. For some of these heroes, it was their first trip to the World War II Memorial.
When they returned home from Washington, D.C., the veterans were welcomed home by family, friends and volunteer patriots at Midway Airport’s Baggage Claim. They were given the heroes welcome that they deserved after all these years for valiantly serving our country during the second world war.
