Honor Flight to send Roselle vet to see WWII Memorial

World War II Navy veteran and longtime Roselle resident Ed Obrochta will soon be joining 95 other veterans on a once in a lifetime trip. On Wednesday, May 23, Obrochta will be flying to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial and tour other sites of interest in our nations capital.

Obrochta has traveled to many parts of the world, but this visit is a first. The trip is sponsored by the nonprofit Honor Flight Chicago, at no cost to the chosen veterans. It is Honor Flight’s way of honoring World War II veterans.

As a young man, Obrochta attended Wells High School in Chicago, and played trumpet, first chair, in the school band and orchestra. His twin brother Rich played in the clarinet section. Marge, Ed’s future wife (Ed did not know that at the time, but she did) also played in the band’s percussion section. It was 1943, and the war was on.

Obrochta joined the Navy, while his brother, Rich joined the Marines. After Naval school training, Obrochta became a radio man and was assigned to the USS Hamlin. It was a newly built communication seaplane tender and was attached to the fleet air wing one, a PBM squadron. The new ship was completed and ready for the Pacific. The Hamlin’s tour of duty included Iwo Jima and Kerama Retto, which was a prelude for the invasion of Okinawa and Japanese suicide planes.

After Okinawa was secured, the war was over and Obrochta’s ship was one of the fleet to enter Tokyo Bay. This is where the historic surrender was signed on board the USS Missouri.

After the war, Obrochta pursued his love of music and studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He decided to change “hats” and entered Loyola University, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree. He had a long career with Sears.

While at Sears, he also wrote for the company newspaper and won several awards. He left Sears to begin his own business. After many years, he eventually retired.

And, he also married Marge from the high school band. They had six children and were married for 60 years. Marge died Christmas Day, 2007.

After retirement, Obrochta once again got the writing “bug.” For just over six years, he wrote a weekly column for a DuPage publication.

Obrochta is looking forward to his Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. He may not be bringing his trumpet or writing a story, but he will most certainly bring back more memories to cherish.

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