Louisville's Honor Flight chapter announces flight for 75th anniversary of D-Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Time is running out for World War II veterans to take part in one last special mission.

On Friday -- Pearl Harbor Day -- a group of them gathered at Mission BBQ in Louisville to remember the past and spread the word about a free trip they're encouraging other veterans to take.

Ernest Micka was one of them. He vividly remembers his time serving in the U.S. Army in World War II.

"The fact is, I'm one of the few who was able to say that I was in there for the first shot and the last shot of the war in Europe," he explained.

But he has only just recently opened up about it.

"Never talked about the war -- not until just the past year or so," he said, adding that the war was, "nothing nice to talk about, really."

"My recommendation would be not to have any war," he said.

But Micka wants to talk now to help spread the word about a special mission. He joined other World War II veterans at Mission BBQ to help Honor Flight Bluegrass announce its first flight for next year.

It's scheduled for May 28, nine days before the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion when Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy. Several of these veterans are 100 and 101 years old, and they know time is of the essence.

"Any vet who goes, it's their day," said Jeff Thoke of Honor Flight Bluegrass. "We take them to see all the memorials -- Arlington, to watch the changing of the guard -- but it's their day, and they go at no charge."

Micka made the Honor Flight last year.

"I would strongly urge that they go because it's wonderful," Micka said.

He says the memorials were moving, but the trip goes beyond that. There was something else that really touched him: the message from the crowds lining up to greet them at takeoff from Louisville, and again in D.C.

"What got to me was these children -- 5, 7, 9 11, whatever -- would stop and say thanks," he said. "That got to me."

The flight is free for veterans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, leaving lasting memories they'll likely want to share.

"It's something that they would never forget, never," Micka said. "Wonderful."

There are fewer than 4,000 World War II veterans remaining in Kentucky and the surrounding area. Honor Flight Bluegrass hopes to fly every one of them to D.C.

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