Honor Flight takes 3 Valley vets to visit World War II Memorial
Veterans fly free on the Honor Flight.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — Tears welled in their eyes and spilled down their cheeks as the World War II veterans walked, some with the aid of walkers, or were pushed in wheelchairs through the airport concourse.
The applause grew as travelers and airport staff stood and acknowledged the aging veterans.
“They treated us like royalty ... like genuine heroes,” said Ed Vitikas, still obviously amazed and moved by the outpouring weeks later.
“It was awesome. You couldn’t help but cry,” said Myron Young.
Vitikas and Young, both of Ellsworth, and Wayne Elliott of Boardman, were among 65 WWII veterans who on Oct. 17 boarded an “Honor Flight” at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for a one-day visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight provides WWII veterans free flights to visit their memorial. Though veterans fly free, escorts or family members who go with them pay their own way.
According to Honor Flight literature, WWII veterans are dying at the rate of 1,200 a day. Because the World War II Memorial was just dedicated in May 2004, some 62 years after the war ended, most WW II veterans never had or will have the opportunity to see their memorial.
Vitikas and Elliott are both 82. Young is 80.
WWII survivors, along with other veterans who are terminally ill, have preference on the Honor Flights. But in the future, Honor Flight plans to also pay tribute to American’s heroes who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, and then veterans of more current wars.
Honor Flight operates between April and November. Honor Flights are flying from Cleveland, Akron-Canton, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati airports in Ohio, and from airports in 17 other states.
A 1943 graduate of Youngstown Chaney High School, Vitikas served in the Army from 1944 to 1946, and was stationed mainly in the Philippines with the 31st Infantry Division. He spent 33 days in the hospital with an infection. On his 32nd day in the hospital, the cease-fire in the Pacific Theater was declared, he said.
Japan formally surrendered Aug. 15, 1945. Germany had surrendered in May 1945.
Vitikas, whose wife is Joyce, worked in the post office for many years, and was station manager in Boardman before retiring in 1980.
Elliott, of Boardman, served in the Navy Seabees from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater, ending up in Okinawa.
Widowed, Elliott has four sons: Wayne R. of Columbiana, Dennis of Boardman, Terry of Leetonia and Timothy of Brookfield. He graduated in 1943 from Akron East High School and from Kent State University in 1951. He worked at General Tire in Akron as a tire builder while he was going to school and then was in real estate for many years, primarily with West Glen Real Estate in Austintown. Currently, he remains active running a handyman and landscaping business, and has been an officer of the Saxon Club in Youngstown for many years.
Vitikas is a member of the Austintown American Legion Post, the Catholic War Veterans John J. Buckley Post 1292 in Youngstown, and VFW Post 9571 in Ellsworth. He is also a member of the Saxon Club and Youngstown Curbstone Coaches.
Interested in the war and history, he presents an hourlong program on the war from the perspective of both sides to various organizations.
World War II was both “terrible and colossal,” he said.
Young quit Canfield High School to join the Army in 1945. He was stationed in the Philippines on the Island of Luzon, where he was in the military police.
He and his wife, Carrie Elaine, have three children: Susan, Mark and Keith Young, all of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The visit to the WW II Memorial was the first for Young, who owns Young’s Restaurant at state Route 45 and U.S. Route 224.
“I’ve seen all of the other memorials, and it is the jewel of the National Mall,” said Young, who is a member of VFW Post 9571 in Ellsworth and is commander of a VFW Honor Guard that has conducted hundreds of services at military funerals.
“When I saw it, I was sorry that so many guys didn’t get the opportunity because they have died,” Elliott said.
One of the things the men treasure from the Honor Flight is the T-shirts they received, which reflect the attitude of some of those who served during that war.
On the front are these words: “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” On the back the thought is finished: “If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.”
Speaking of the Honor Flight, they said:
“You’d be so proud to see all the WWII vets honored. I appreciated it,” Elliott said.
“They treat you with so much dignity and respect. They make you feel like a hero,” said Vitikas.
“I encourage anyone who was in the military during WWII to make application to go. It’s the trip of a lifetime,” Young said.
alcorn@vindy.com