Grandpa's Honor Flight

This wonderful WWII Veteran is my beloved Grandpa Putnam. At the end of October, he got to participate in the Utah Honor Flight. This is an organization that flies WWII Veterans back to Washington DC where they can see the WWII memorial and participate in various ceremonies to honor them. My Aunt Kris helped organize this for him and went as his guardian. And in order for my Grandma to go and experience that with him, my mom went as my Grandma's "guardian." They had to arrange for their own flight and transportation, but they were able to go to all of the activities and stay with them in their hotel room.

I think he was a little apprehensive about going. If you had asked him before he left, he probably would have told you that he would rather just stay home. But after going, I'm sure he is very glad that he went.

There was a ceremony for them at a National Guard building before they left. And at the SLC airport, they held another special ceremony and escorted them through the airport parade style. On the flight out there, they had letters written by family members and others thanking them for their service.

While in Washington DC, they took them to several sites and to the Arlington Cemetery. They had a nice dinner where they gave each veteran a replica of the medal they should have got when the war was over. They even used WWII surplus ribbon to attach the medal to the neckband.

One of the nights, the four of them used the rental car and drove to see the Washington DC temple. They were not able to go in because it was so late, but they were really glad they got to see it.

When they got home, we got to go to the National Guard Base for a grand welcome home party. Here's my Grandpa and Aunt exiting the bus and entering the airplane hanger we were all waiting in.

Being there as all these Veterans came in was very moving and patriotic. I'm so glad my Grandpa was able to participate and that we were able to be there to welcome him home with a hero's welcome that these wonderful men deserve.

This is my Grandpa's military picture from back when he was in the Army for WWII.

And here is an article that my Aunt Bev wrote about his service. It was published in the Star Valley Independent (the newspaper from his home town). 

"Erlon Searight Putnam was born Sept. 15, 1918, in Auburn. He is the oldest of 12 children born to Ruth Alice Searight and Euvern Frank Putnam. Erlon grew up working on his family farm, and had to quit school in the eighth grade in order to work to help support the family. He herded sheep and cattle, milked cows, and developed a deep love and knowledge of horses, which he passed on to his children.

Another thing he learned from within his family, was a great talent, love and knowledge of music. He, his parents, brothers and sisters, were all blessed with beautiful singing voices, learned to harmonize, and performed together at many gatherings throughout their lifetimes. His love of music and harmony is another important lesson he passed on to his children, and they also have sung and performed together throughout the years.

On Sept. 24, 1948, Erlon married the beautiful love of his life, Mary Harmon, from Fairview. They had seven children, Mary Beth, Karla, Erlon Charles (Chuck), Kristine, Lynda Ruth, Leron Harmon, and Beverly Kay. They have been married for 66 years, and currently have a posterity of 165. Erlon continued to work on farms in Wyoming, Idaho and Utah, until they bought their current home in Hunter (West Valley City), Utah, in December of 1969. He worked for a short time as a custodian for Granite School District, started working part-time for ZCMI, in Valley Fair Mall in 1971, and then went full-time for ZCMI in September of 1973. He continued to work for ZCMI (later Myer and Frank), until he retired, at the age of 82, in April 2001. 

At the age of 22, Erlon was drafted into the Army, during World War II. He was inducted on Aug. 27, 1941. He drove the trucks transporting the horses and supplies for the Cavalry. Later, the Army changed from Cavalry to Mechanical, and he continued to transport supplies. When he first shipped out, he was sent to Europe by way of France. At that time, he found out the hard way, that he did not enjoy traveling on the ocean, and suffered from severe seasickness.

When the surrender of Germany was declared, on May 8, 1945, Erlon was serving in Austria. A short time later, on Sept. 2, 1945, Japan also surrendered, and World War II was declared over. Erlon was sent back to the United States, and was discharged from the Army on Dec. 5, 1945, at Camp Beale, California.

Because of his service for our country, Erlon is being included in the “Honor Flight”, leaving Oct. 30, and returning Nov. 1, 2014. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all of their sacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at “their” memorials.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.

On behalf of Erlon’s family, we are extremely proud of him for his service to our country, and honored to carry on his legacy of love, hard work and determination."

I think this is nice tribute to my Grandpa. I'm so glad to be part of his posterity. I love this amazing man very, very much. Thank you again Grandpa for your service!