'They truly saved the world' | WWII veterans honored on 79th anniversary of VE Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The number of World War II veterans still with us is shrinking, but their impact on history remains.

Two veterans in Louisville were honored on Wednesday to mark 79 years since Victory in Europe Day, which marked the end of WWII in Europe.

"This is a big day for World War II veterans. It's an important day to them," said Jeff Thoke, chairman of the board for Honor Flight Bluegrass. "It's the 79th anniversary of the surrender of the German forces. During World War II, they surrendered on May 8, 1945. Most World War II veterans know exactly where they were that day."

Thoke said he was in contact with 11 WWII veterans for Wednesday's recognition, but "you never know how many are going to come. You know, you're dealing with veterans who are 96 to 100 years old."

Two local WWII veterans ended up traveling to Bowman Field for the day. Community members and veterans from other decades shook their hands, came to hear their stories, and thank them for their service.

"We like to meet with the other veterans and share stories. Every one of these meetings we've got one or two less. But people show up. Naturally, at this age, I'm 98," said Albert Benninger, a WWII veteran.

He said he was stationed at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in the medical research division.

"Our main job was to determine which color night goggles was best for flying at night in the war," said Benninger. "We had every color in the rainbow and it always showed up red. Red's the best for night flying."

Mario Maipid, president of the local chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association helped organize the Jeeps that took the veterans on a ride through Seneca Park. 

"These are privately owned vehicles that have been restored by their respective owners," Maipid said. "Some of these actually saw action during World War II."

He said often, veterans will open up and share some of their stories once they get in the Jeeps. The vehicles bring back memories. 

"We still have the members of the Greatest Generation that we're not going to have for long," Maipid said. "Every opportunity that we can honor the services of World War II veterans, I would take advantage of it and really show the respect that they deserve."

In addition to Benninger, the other WWII veteran at Bowman Field Wednesday was 99-year-old Damon Hawkins.

"I was over in the islands. I was on the last island next to Iwo Jima when the war ended," Hawkins said.

Hawkins said he'll be 100-years-old this October and still walks about two miles every day. 

"I've never had a sick day in my life," he said.

Before climbing into the jeep, Hawkins said he used to work on these vehicles during his time in the war.

"I had to know how to change the points after dark and all that and make sure all the dim lights worked," he explained. 

Even these veterans stopped to acknowledge others who came to honor them.

"I just want to thank all you guys for coming out, especially the Vietnam veterans," Benninger told the crowd. "Of course, everybody knows they never got the recognition they deserved, and we hope it's changing a little bit."

As the Jeeps took off, people stopped along the sidewalk to wave and horns honked in recognition of these veterans.

"They truly did save the world," said Thoke.

He said there are only around 100,000 WWII veterans left and it's an honor to have them.

"Within several years, they're going to be gone, but they're part of American history, and I wish people would realize how fortunate we are to have had our World War II veterans," Thoke said.

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• Honor Flight Bluegrass marks 82 years since Pearl Harbor attack
• 'It's a long time coming' | Jeffersontown ceremony honors Vietnam veterans decades after war
• Kentucky Veterans Day Parade's Grand Marshal shares story of overcoming PTSD

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