The Kerestes Report
From George Kerestes, greeter, volunteer, bon vivant and good friend of the National Park Service, Honor Flight and the WWII Memorial generation.
“…Today after you left and the weather cooperated for an hour the Honor Flight from Central Illinois arrived at the World War II Memorial. They were led by one of our favorite Honor Flight leaders, Al Bailey. When I asked where “Central Illinois” was located, one of the veterans who overheard my question, said: Not Chicago! Now I know.
Today was my first Wednesday of the year volunteering with the National Park Service. As you know all my other days have been Saturdays. Also volunteering today was Al Doehring (NPS Volunteer and Finance Officer at the American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax, Virginia) and one of his friends from the same Legion. (Picture attached).
The weather for most of the day was windy and cool – one of the Veterans said this to me: “August in Michigan.” Today one group took a stab at Chicago and other at Michigan–all in regional fun. Although the veterans were not falling out of the sky today, there was a great feeling of satisfaction from the veterans on their day at THEIR MEMORIAL, the guardians and the family members where their to make the World War II Veterans from Central Illinois’s day special. Our thanks to all the veterans for their service.
PS Don’t forget the Memorial celebrates its 5th birthday on 4-29-09!
George