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Besser . “ The proudest day of my life was the day I got out of boot camp — because I didn ’ t think I was gonna make it .”

Besser attended an 8 week prep school in aviation in Jacksonville , Florida and was presented with different fields he could pursue . One of the available training programs was electronics , a 22-week program .

At the time , what he wanted to pursue was a relationship with Atlas Gregory , a woman with “ flaming red hair and a face covered in freckles ” so he signed up for the program .

Two weeks later , she was sent to North Carolina .

Once he completed his training , ( graduating at the top of his class ), Besser went to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro , near Irvine , California , where he worked on jet fighter planes including the F-2 , F-5 and F-9 Panther jets . His squadron was a training unit ( think Top Gun ) which trained fighter pilots . It was his job to keep the jets — the most advanced fighter planes at the time — in working order .

“ Seventy-five percent of the time I was in the cockpit , upside down ,” said Besser .

He would fire up the engines and explained that because they packed a lot of power , bolts and chain were used on the wheels just in case the brakes didn ’ t hold . Once , the chain wasn ’ t done properly and the jet jerked forward about a foot — with him in it .

“ It didn ’ t go very far , but it was enough ,” said Besser .

To address certain issues , Besser said he sometimes had to crawl inside the engine with it running . “ My hair was straight up ,” said Besser . The flight last month was a far different experience for Besser , raising his spirits , not his hair .

“ I couldn ’ t believe all the things that happened ,” said Besser . “ Oh , what a way to start .”

When Besser ’ s bus arrived at the airport he discovered another large crowd waiting to see the veterans off . After a touching ceremony , they boarded the plane which had been decorated for them . Upon arriving at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington , D . C ., the plane was hosed down from both sides , a ceremony honoring the veterans on board .

Leaving the plane , he was surprised to find that the terminal was filled with a welcoming crowd , including a high school football team from George C . Marshall High School in Fairfax , VA . The veterans

The Korean War Memorial .

were quickly loaded onto a bus bound for the memorials , with an escort by the National Park Police , which didn ’ t hesitate to stop traffic whenever necessary . “ It was out of this world ,” said Besser . One of the best moments for him was his visit at the Iwo Jima Memorial . He noted that Parris Island has a much smaller version of the statue and held up his hand to show a well-loved ring with an even smaller copy of the statue engraved on the side . It was a gift from his wife .

“ As a Marine , it ’ s very special to me ,” Besser said of the memorial . “ I would never have seen it until the day I died if it wasn ’ t for this trip .”

While Besser was not on a battlefield , he noted that they did lose pilots at El Toro airbase .

The trip to Washington , DC also included a stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier .

Besser was very touched watching the ceremonial changing of the guard .

He noted that it was 95 degrees but the crisp footfalls of the guard in his wool uniform never faltered — except for one brief moment , when a slight drag of his foot let the small crowd of veterans know that they were noticed .

Besser also visited the Korean War Memorial and marveled at its design .

What impressed Besser most about the day was that he couldn ’ t do anything for himself . Everyone leapt into action at his slightest need , leaving him with an overall sense of “ you are so special .” People visiting the memorials came up and asked to take their picture with him , thanking him for his service .

“ I never felt that for my service . It was just something you did ,” said Besser .

Besser ’ s son , Tim , accompanied him

on the trip as his guardian and pushed his wheelchair around all day . While Besser can walk , it is at his own pace due to arthritis and the trip was on a strict schedule .

“ I didn ’ t want to give in to anything , but it was the best way to enjoy the day ,” said Besser , describing the experience as both humbling and uplifting .

Besser also visited the World War II memorial , which called up memories of his youth in Brooklyn during the end of the war . He remembered listening to President Franklin D . Roosevelt ’ s funeral on the radio .

Besser said any World War II veterans that have not made the trip should sign up for the next Honor Flight . He noted that hundreds of WWII veterans are dying each day .

Francis Indzonka , of Walden , was a World War II veteran and scheduled to be on the flight with Besser , but was unable to go because of his health . He was given a seat on the flight for next spring , but passed away on Oct . 8 . He was 89 and had served as a second lieutenant in the U . S . Army and participated in the occupation of Japan .

“ I saw things I never would have seen if I didn ’ t go — and I got to spend the day with Tim ,” said Besser . “ I ’ m telling everyone to go on the trip … every place I go .”

The return flight was also full of surprises and there was yet another crowd to welcome the veterans home when they arrived at Stewart International Airport that evening .

Besser was discharged as a corporal from the U . S . Marine Corps in 1957 , just two weeks shy of attaining the rank of sergeant , and said there was no fanfare back then when veterans returned home .

Two years later , Besser married Juanita Lundell . Besser said he met her when he was just fourteen years old , before joining the military .

“ I will never forget the first time I kissed her ,” said Besser . “ I was fifteen . I kissed her and ran home . I didn ’ t know anything about girls . They scared me to death . I was shy in high school . It changed .”

Besser decided to leave New York City and build a home for his family in Montgomery . He said he had always wanted to live in the country , especially after his first visit when he was about 16 years old . He said before his visit , his grandmother told him there were albinos in the mountains and there was no water

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