142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/30/2014 - PORTLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ore. -- A La Grande resident and Oregon National Guard veteran received a trip to Washington, D.C., last month as part of the Honor Flight project's objective to take all WWII veterans to visit the National World War II Memorial.
Army Air Corps Tech. Sgt. Fred Parish flew from the Portland International Airport to Washington, D.C., Sept. 18 for a free-of-charge, four-day trip to visit the National World War II Memorial, the White House, Capitol building, and eight other D.C.-area attractions.
"Almost 90 percent of WWII veterans who survived [the war] have passed away," states the project's web site. "Approximately 1,000 WWII veterans pass away daily across America. Our objective is to take all WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. as soon as possible."
Parish, an Oregon Air National Guard founding member, had the privilege of joining 49 other World War II veterans for an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. This trip was sponsored by the Eastern Oregon and Portland area Honor Flight organizations. Each veteran was accompanied by a guardian, generally a family member, who assisted and pushed the veteran's wheelchair from place to place.
All expenses for the veterans were underwritten by corporate donations or by generous private gifts. No taxpayer funds were used, and the guardians paid their own ways.
"My guardian was my son, Roger, who previously served as a Navy Chief and also as an Air Force captain, now retired," said Parish.
Air transportation for the WWII veterans was donated by Southwest Airlines.
"Obviously, the Honor Flight people are masters at detailed planning and scheduling," said Parish. "Every possible provision was made to care for the comfort and needs of us vets who are now in our late 80s or 90s."
Also, accompanying the veterans were two doctors and two nurses in addition to the Honor Flight director.
The tour group gathered at the Shilo Inn near the Portland International Airport Sept. 17. The Shilo Inn donated dinner and overnight accommodations.
"Early Thursday morning, we boarded Southwest Airlines for a flight to Washington with a brief stop-over in Chicago," said Parish. "People along the way were most cordial. In Washington, D.C. tour busses were waiting to transport us to a Holiday Inn about an hour south of Washington. We settled in comfortably and prepared for the tours that began Friday morning."
The first memorial on the agenda for the veterans to visit was the National World War II Memorial.
"Many folks believe that all Americans should make an effort to visit our country's tribute to the men and women who have been termed 'The Greatest Generation,'" Parish said. "Those who paid the ultimate price in World War II have not been forgotten."
The United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps surprised the veterans when they marched into memorial and treated them to a one-hour concert. Afterward the Marines, in their scarlet and snow-white uniforms, visited with the veterans.
"This old Army Air Corps guy had to render a smart salute to the Corps on their precision, their military presentation, and their musicianship," said Parish. "They were excellent."
In addition to the National World War II Memorial, the next two days were devoted to visits to the Lincoln Memorial, a tour of the U.S. Capitol and a session with the Oregon Congressional delegation. Also included were the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Navy Memorial.
"Our trip was topped off by a respectful visit to Arlington National Cemetery," said Parish. "We visited the monument showing the Iwo Jima flag raising and then we witnessed the perpetual protocol of the Army Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown. We were privileged to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and it was most impressive."
The ceremony is held day and night, rain or shine every thirty minutes around the clock, every day of every year and has been unbroken in any way since 1930. In addition, a memorial wreath was presented from the state of Oregon while the veterans were there.
"I praise the Army for their dedication in honoring our war unknown," Parish said.
The tour concluded with a visit to the Air Force Memorial located by the Pentagon.
"Finally that day we stopped by the Air Force Memorial with its gleaming spires soaring toward the skies," said Parish. "This memorial warmed the hearts of the WWII Army Air Corps veterans."
"All good things must come to an end," Parish said. "Very early Sunday morning, Southwest Airlines loaded us aboard their Honor Flight plane and flew us back to River City. As our plane taxied up to the [Portland International Airport] terminal, fire trucks shot columns of water arching over the plane.
The veterans were greeted by local law enforcement, military members, the Vietnam Memorial motorcycle riders with flags, and the playing of bagpipes.
"Each veteran was wheeled into a greeting fit for any Hollywood rock star," said Parish. "Literally hundreds of cheering civilians enthusiastically cried, 'Thank you for your service!'As we were wheeled between the two enthusiastic lines, men shook our hands and gave us pats on the back while the ladies passed out hugs for us WWII veterans."
"Many folks termed us as heroes, but, that is now what most of us consider ourselves to be," said Parish. "During WWII, we had a job that had to be done so we did it. Too many Americans did not come home. For those of us who did return, we recognize that freedom is not free."
Each veteran received a colorfully patriotic quilt handmade by the Pacific Northwest Quilters in appreciation for their service to the country. Each quilt was individually dedicated to the veteran by name and each quilt was designated as a Valor Quilt.
"Things just cannot get any better than that," said Parish.
Parish was a participant in the largest military maneuver ever held in the Pacific Northwest - the Oregon Maneuver of 1943, which lasted for 90 days, from Aug. 1, 1943 to Oct. 31, 1943. He was an original member of the 123rd Observation Squadron of the Oregon National Guard.
After entering federal service with the 123rd OS, Parish was transferred to the newly-created 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron to organize their medical detachment. He then attended the School of Aviation Medicine in Texas to become a certified flight surgeon's assistant, and transferred to Headquarters, 70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, as medical section chief for the group. His job there was to coordinate and administer the medical services for all of the squadrons in the group. It was in this capacity that he participated in the Oregon Maneuver.
To read more about Parish's military experience and the Oregon Maneuver as part of WWII, please revisit his previously published story on the 142nd Fighter Wing site: www.142fw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123358659.
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