910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
2/10/2014 - YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- The 910th Airlift Wing welcomed a World War II veteran and his family for a special tour here, Feb. 2. The event was conducted at the request of Crossroads Hospice in Green, Ohio, as part of their Gift of a Day program.
According to Krystal Beckelhimer, the hospice's Gift of a Day coordinator, the program is designed to ask their terminal patients "How do you envision your perfect day?" The hospice then strives to create that image and make it an extremely special and meaningful day for the patient and their family.
Beckelhimer reached out to the 910th AW Public Affairs Office to seek assistance in fulfilling one patient's vision of his perfect day.
Edward Hitesman, a veteran of the Army Air Corps, Air Force and Army served as a pilot in the Pacific theater. Beckelhimer hoped those serving at the air station could grant this man's wish.
"His perfect day, his gift, would be to come to your installation and view the display of aircraft there," said Beckelhimer.
In a short time, the necessary coordination was completed and Hitesman's special day was under way. Upon arriving at YARS, the veteran's 19-person group visited the wing's headquarters building where Hitesman and his family and friends were welcomed by Col. James Dignan, 910th AW commander.
"The 910th Airlift Wing is honored to host Mr. Hitesman and his family for this special tour of Youngstown Air Reserve Station," said Dignan. "We are humbled he would make visiting our Citizen Airmen and our facilities his wish and the ideal way to spend his perfect day."
Following the welcome and wing mission briefing, Dignan presented a certificate to the veteran, naming him an honorary member of the 910th AW. After the briefing, Chief Master Sgt. Troy K. Rhoades, the 910th's senior enlisted member, presented his challenge coin to the World War II veteran to recognize a job well done.
Hitesman and two of his sons spoke with members of the local media. Following the interviews, the 94-year-old veteran and his group, joined by members of the 910th, looked over a collection of Hitesman's military memorabilia. While looking over the yellowed artifacts, which included a picture of himself and his wife from 1944, Hitesman reflected on his service to his country.
"It was so vital to win World War II. Nobody enjoyed being there but they had to be," he said. "We did what had to be done."
Yet, he was pleased to be able to share his experiences with his family, friends and the Citizen Airmen of the 910th Airlift Wing.
"Everything is important and when you can share an important period (of time in your life) with a lot of good people who appreciate it that makes it better," said the World War II veteran.
After departing the wing headquarters, the group then visited a maintenance hangar where an honor cordon of more than 60 Citizen Airmen saluted Hitesman as he entered the building to tour one of the wing's C-130 Hercules tactical cargo aircraft.
During his visit to YARS, the veteran, father, grandfather and great-grandfather said he was impressed by those following in his footsteps today in defense of their country.
"I think they're doing a terrific job and they love what they're doing. That's the main thing because we're in the best country in the world," said Hitesman. "There's no better place on God's green earth than the United States of America."
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