Photo By Kyle Gese | Airmen in Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, salute the survivors of Iwo Jima...... read more read more
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SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – The gentle beating of drums started as the patriot riders motorcycle escort approached Sheppard Elementary School. Children rushed out to the sidewalks to greet the legendary heroes; survivors of the battle of Iwo Jima.
A rumble of tiny hands clapping erupted as they exited the buses. Flanked on both sides, WWII veterans walked through the lines of children holding U.S. flags high. Several of the youth saluted, grinning from ear-to-ear as they passed.
It wasn’t long before the veterans were listening to children singing the U.S. national anthem during the opening ceremony. Later, a few children shared their speeches about the heroes in their lives to honor them.
“This will be our last hoorah,” said Hershel “Woody” Williams, last surviving Medal of Honor recipient during the battle for Iwo Jima. “For some of you, we may not see each other again.”
Fighting his way past machine gunfire in 1945, Williams aided in neutralizing one of the most heavily defended Japanese strong points that he and his men encountered. Today, Williams shares his stories of miracles with the Sheppard Elementary School children; the future of America.
“You never know when a miracle may come our way,” said Williams. “I hope everyone in this room, in their time, will find their miracle.”
The lights dimmed as the students played a slideshow. “I am proud to be an American” played and began stirring emotions. Soon an explosion of pride consumed the room as the words “and I proudly stand up,” played. The children rose to their feet with Williams and saluted for the remainder of the song.
This will be the last time the school hosts these veterans them for their reunion; this was their last hoorah.
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.17.2015 17:32 |
| Story ID: | 154659 |
| Location: | SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 477 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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