Hanks, Spielberg honor suburban WWII vets
A group of suburban veterans said they felt like rock stars Thursday as they mingled with actor Tom Hanks, director Steven Spielberg and other Washington dignitaries at the World War II Memorial in Washington.
All told, 35 Chicago-area veterans who served in the Pacific were invited to take the latest Honor Flight to the nation's capital. They included men from Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Glen Ellyn, Mount Prospect, Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Libertyville, Mundelein and Wheaton.
Many of the Northwest suburban vets worked through VFW 229 Post Commander Steve Schaefer in Des Plaines to make the trip. He accompanied them as one of the "guardians," and he described the trip as "wonderful and emotional."
In all, 250 World War II veterans from the Pacific were flown from around the country to Washington for a special recognition ceremony led by Hanks and Spielberg at the National Mall.
The veterans left Wednesday and through partnerships with HBO, American Airlines and Marriott Hotels & Resorts stayed three days in Washington expense-free for a whirlwind of receptions and tours.
Kathleen Timotijevic of Arlington Heights volunteered for the flight as one of American Airlines' flight attendants. Her father, Lt. William Colleran Jr., was a pilot in the Pacific, and though he has passed away, she carried his uniform on board in his honor.
Their flight was timed in advance of the 10-part miniseries "The Pacific," airing on HBO beginning Sunday. It was developed by Hanks and Spielberg and is based on the true stories of Marines who fought in the Pacific Theater.
Veterans sat in chairs at the World War II Memorial, with Marines in their dress uniforms standing at attention surrounding them, while Hanks, Spielberg and former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole spoke to thank them.
"Oh, there were some tearful moments," said Anthony Vieceli, 84, of Mount Prospect who served with an Army transportation unit in Manila during the war.
For Burton Showers, 84, of Palatine, the reception the veterans drew as soon as they debarked the airplane set the tone.
"People were lined up to thank us, like we were rock stars or something," said Showers, who served in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's operations unit planning invasions in the Pacific. "It was quite a thrill. To think they were thanking us for fighting in a war 67 years ago."
The ceremony at National Mall preceded a banquet and exclusive premiere viewing of the first episode of the HBO miniseries. But vets on hand said they felt Hanks and Spielberg were genuine in their thanks and that the ceremony was more than a photo opportunity for the miniseries.
"I felt as though they were speaking from the heart, and thanking us for our service and sacrifice," added Showers, who taught history at Palatine High School and the former Forest View High School in Arlington Heights.
Mary Pettinato, founder and president of Honor Flight Chicago, based in Des Plaines, said there still are 1,300 World War II veterans waiting for their day of honor, and that the group is actively seeking donations to make their trips possible.
"But this one," she said, "this one was special."
For more information, visit honorflightchicago.org.