Honor Flight fulfills ‘last mission’ for Alaska World War II veterans

MAT-SU — Once upon a time a self-described 15-year-old juvenile delinquent, Marc Stella admits to “using a little subterfuge” to get into the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

“I lied a little bit, a little white one,” the Anchorage resident said. But without that service, “I would’ve ended up in prison or worse, because I was a little juvenile delinquent then and the Marine Corps beat it out of me.”

He downplays his service during the war, saying he was just “a ground-pounder in the Marine Corps, and my little bit was just a few little islands.”

Last year, Stella was one of four Alaska veterans to tag along with an Oregon group on a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the National World War II memorial, other memorials and the U.S. Capitol. The trip was part of a growing organization called Honor Flight, which takes World War II veterans who may not have the means or opportunity to visit their memorial. The experience was profoundly gratifying and emotional, Stella said.

“Seeing those gold stars for the 410,000 people who did not come back,” Stella began before choking up, “and to appreciate what was accomplished in World War II, and I never thought it out until that trip. It impressed upon me what those (sacrifices were) — and beyond that in Korea and Vietnam.”

The most emotional and memorable part of Stella’s Honor Flight trip was a visit to the Marine Corps War Memorial (also called the Iwo Jima Memorial). He sobs while recalling his thoughts there.

“That, for me, has even more meaning, because it was just by dumb luck I didn’t go there (to Iwo Jima),” he said. “I know if I had, I wouldn’t have survived it.”

Stories like Stella’s have sparked an effort to include more Alaska World War II veterans in the Honor Flight program, said Ron Travis, a Navy Machinist Mate who served in Vietnam. Travis is helping organize the first all-Alaska group of vets, called the Last Frontier Honor Flight. That first group of 25 vets, along with chaperones, is scheduled to take off in October, he said.

That Last Frontier Honor Flight treats the veterans “like the heroes they are,” including paying for the trip (chaperones pay for their own airline tickets), Travis said.

“This is what a lot of them refer to as their ‘last mission,’” Travis said, adding that this year’s group of veterans so far ranges in age from 87 to 95. “We’re losing 700 (World War II vets) a day. Sixteen million served and only about 2 million remain.”

Travis was a chaperone for that trip Stella made last year.

Although the Honor Flight effort has been gaining steam in the Lower 48, Alaska and Hawaii haven’t had their own Honor Flights because of the cost involved. Until now, Alaska veterans who’ve made the trip have hitched a ride with another state’s group.

To help cover the costs to send those 25 veterans to Washington, D.C., in October — along with another planned trip in April 2014 — Last Frontier Honor Flight is continual in fundraising mode, Travis said. To that end, the organization is hosting a steak and seafood dinner 6 to 10 p.m., Sept. 20 at the American Legion Susitna Valley Post at Mile 46, Parks Highway. Dinner options include steak, ribs, fish, shrimp, hamburger or salad bar with prices ranging from $8 to $18 depending on choice. There will also be a dessert auction and a split-the-pot drawing.

The October trip looked like it might be delayed while the group waited on its tax-exempt designation to be approved by the IRS, but U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced last week she’d applied pressure on the group’s behalf and its 501(c) (3) status was approved in less than a month.

“The generosity that we have experienced from Alaskans has been absolutely humbling; without their support the first ever Alaskan Honor Flight would never be happening,” Travis said. “This trip, of course, is just the beginning and we will continue to raise money to fund our future flights. We appreciate Senator Murkowski and her staff for their help and support in making this a reality.”

Belated recognition

When the National World War II Memorial was opened in April 2004, it came nearly 60 years after the end of the war, Travis said. That means a good many of those soldiers who survived World War II never saw the memorial in their honor. That’s why for many surviving veterans in Alaska, the Last Frontier Honor Flight could be their only and last chance. It also allows them to visit the memorial with other veterans who can relate to what they went through decades before, Travis said.

“Very rarely do you hear World War II veterans talk about the war, they just don’t bring it up,” he said. “When we leave, most of them don’t know each other, but by the end of it they’ll be fast friends. It’s a very emotional journey for them.”

Stella agrees that the emotions are real and that some of them aren’t fueled by pleasant memories. But he said he’s grateful for the chance to see the memorial dedicated to veterans like himself and those he served with.

When standing at the memorial and looking at those stars representing the soldiers who never came home alive, Stella said he had a profound feeling.

“We made it. With all that went on there, all we went through, I’m here and able to view all of this with other people who know what it’s all about,” he said. “It’s so worthwhile and it’s a wonderful gift.”

Stella said surviving veterans or their families should take advantage of the Last Frontier Honor Flight before time runs out. In fact, he said he saw an obituary a few days ago for a man who was scheduled to go on the October trip. The benefits for veterans and their families are immeasurable, he said, and there was only one fly in the ointment during his trip.

“The only drawback is you have to talk to your representatives at the Capitol,” Stella said. “It’s a wonderful tour, except when you have to be paraded in front of those jerks. All they want is a photo op.”

Contact Greg Johnson at 352-2269

or greg.johnson@frontiersman.com.