Valley Veteran part of distinguished Honor Flight to nation’s capital

BIG LAKE — Eighty three year-old Owen Miller has lived through four wars, Desert Storm included. He also served in one — the Korean War, with the US Navy from 1952-1963. Miller is fresh back from an Honor Flight where he joined other American Veterans in an all-expenses paid trip to the nation’s Capitol.

The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. Honor Flight transports American Heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect upon the memorials. Top priority is given to the most senior veterans – starting with World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Statistically, the United States loses almost 650 WWII vets daily, according to the program’s website.

Miller was joined by his “guardian” John Glass of Wasilla. The whole trip was arranged locally by The Last Frontier Honor Flight program out of Big Lake which also welcomes Alaska Territorial Guard members to participate. Glass said he approached Last Frontier representative Ron Travis to get involved with the program. Both are Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club members.

Serving the entire state, Last Frontier included 23 Alaskan veterans plus their guardians on a five-day trip which began Oct. 18. The group included eight World War II, 14 Korean and one Viet Nam vets. Miller and Glass were strangers until coming together for this trip.

Miller’s service

Miller, a Brooklyn, NY native, said he enlisted in the Armed Services with his parents’ permission at the age of 17 and was deployed at 18 on Aug. 23, 1952. He was first sent to boot camp in Maryland and then on to Jacksonville, Fla. to deploy at the newly constructed Cecil Field Air Base.

“I had already been drafted. The Air Force had too long of a wait, the Coast Guard was the same thing,” Miller said. So he chose the US Navy.

His first tour put him aboard the USS Roosevelt which deployed from port in Norfolk, Va. Miller said the approximate half-year tour took him into and throughout the Mediterranean and into ports such as France, Italy, and Spain. He then transferred to the USS Newport News.

“That was a heavy cruiser. The last of “the Big Guns”,” Miller said. “We went back to the Mediterranean and then up to the North Sea. Places like Germany, Denmark and Scotland. There was still a lot of destruction in Germany and there were communists in Italy.”

Miller’s tour included a stint on the USS Canberra. He was aboard her during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Many consider the 13-day standoff between the United States and Russia as the closest the world came to nuclear war.

“We were off Cuba and there was a Russian ship close by. (Our commander) told the Russians if you don’t change direction in 15 minutes, we’re going to fire all our missiles,” Miller said.

“That’s the only US Navy ship named after a foreign city,” Miller pointed noting Canberra is in Australia. “We went to the Middle East and Iraq and Iran. back when it was safe to go there. It included the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. We were in Egypt and Jerusalem. We were there during a major earthquake in Morocco and another really bad earthquake in Crete. I’m guessing there were about 14,000 dead.”

A severe knee injury forced Miller stateside for the remainder of his service. He wrapped up duty as a Storekeeper Second Class serving in New London, Conn.

He said the most important thing his service taught him was honor. Miller said he believes that many of today’s youth aren’t aware of the sacrifices of their fellow Americans who did their duty when called to preserve the freedoms many think is a right.

“They need to learn there’s a price to be paid. And it’s not in dollars and cents. One word — honor,” Miller said. “Honor your parents, your teachers, it grows.”

Miller visited Talkeetna Elementary School Thursday as part of its Veterans Day Program to share his thoughts. He said it’s difficult to explain to today’s youth.

“You ask them if they’ve ever been away from home. Maybe to summer camp or something like that. Then ask them how they felt,” Miller said. “Did they miss their family and friends? Then ask them to visualize what it would be like if that were six months or a year where military action is. Many kids don’t realize the freedoms they have are still being paid for.”

Although he served his country, Miller said compared to fellow veterans and those who served before him in events such as World War I and II, he feels fortunate.

“In comparison to other (veterans), I did nothing. The only danger I was in was being at sea. (My fellow) Korean fighters were the real heroes,” Miller said.

The trip

Both Miller and Glass said they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support shared by fellow Americans throughout the trip.

“Alaska Airlines went above and beyond the call,” Glass said. “All the veterans flew for free. They were served first on the plane, even before first class. And Geneva Woods Pharmacy (of Wasilla), provided 24 wheelchairs. They went out of their way to honor our veterans.”

Glass explained that due to safety reasons, the program suggests all Honor Flight participants be wheelchaired when visiting the various memorials.

When the group arrived in Portland, the entourage was met by the city’s police and fire departments. When they arrived in Washington D.C., the entire concourse erupted in clapping and cheers.

Glass said that wasn’t planned but consisted of regular passengers waiting to board planes and airport employees and staff in the area.

“I’m guessing there were 1,500-2,000 people on the concourse,” Glass said.

“The trip was fantastic. It was the trip of a lifetime! I’ve never seen so many people to greet us. The honor guards, the applause. They quilt brigade gave each veteran a quilt,” Miller explained.

Miller said it would be impossible to pick out one thing that stood out above the other.

“It would be impossible to see everything. Unless you went there on your own. I’m 83 years old and I never remember feeling that choked up,” Miller said about visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and witnessing the ceremony. “The only thing that came close was when we had to conduct a burial (of a US serviceman) at sea. And the playing of Taps. I always get choked up.

“I can’t pick one. When we visited Arlington (Memorial Cemetery), you can’t help but break out in tears. The changing of the guard (at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), and to see all the walls. World War II, Korea, Vietnam,” Miller said. “It’s tough.”

Glass issued similar sentiments about all there was to visit in the Capitol.

“It was an absolutely unbelievable trip. Everything was a well-oiled machine. The busses, the hotel rooms. So much going on in both Washington D.C. and in Virginia,” Glass said. “For me, the highlight was the Tomb of the unknown Soldier. During the ceremony, they allowed the four longest serving World War II vets to change the wreath. It was extremely emotional. I was very, very, very impressed.”

Glass shared a side story about the trip. He noted on the way back from Washington, “Mail Call” was conducted. Any veteran can tell you the importance of mail call. It meant letters from home — loved ones, family and friends.

“The veterans received 50-plus letters from local people in one big envelope,” Glass said. “Owen’s had five letter from Big Lake Elementary thanking him.”

The group’s recognition honors continued on its return flight. Upon arriving back in Anchorage, the group was met with a formal reception which included Governor Bill Walker. Glass said Walker presented each veteran with a medal and personally thanked them for their service.

Miller resides in Willow with his wife Gloria. For more information on Last Front Honor Flight, call 907-376-0148, or visit www.lasthonorflight.com.