Roger Schultz received a long-awaited trip to the nation’s capital 62 years after being discharged from the United States Marine Corps and serving in the Korean War.
The 82-year-old Shawano resident was among a contingent of 41 World War II and 47 Korean War veterans participating in a Honor Flight Network trip to Washington, D.C., Saturday.
“It was awesome. I cannot even describe it in words,” Schultz said. “I have never been to D.C. before. We never stopped.”
The Honor Flight Network was created in 2005 to help veterans make the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington to visit the war memorials and other sights for free. It was created for World War II veterans but has expanded to include Korean War and Vietnam veterans.
Schultz said his son, Brian, of West Bend, suggested he apply for an Honor Flight more than a year ago. Brian’s son, Ross, accompanied his grandfather on the daylong trip.
“He was a saint,” Schultz said. “He pushed me the whole way.”
They explored all of the historical monuments, including the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and others. Schultz was unable to see was the grave site of John F. Kennedy because it is closed on Saturdays.
Schultz also visited the Korean War Memorial but was unable to find any familiar names on the large structure.
“It was so big and wasn’t done alphabetically, so it was not easy finding names,” Schultz said. “It was a really humbling experience.”
Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy accompanied the veterans on their flight from Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.
“He was a great guy. He energized everybody and was there the whole time,” Schultz said. “He talked to everybody multiple times and was a joy to have along.”
Schultz, a Brewers fan, also said Lucroy “is a good catcher.”
Schultz and his fellow veterans received a heroes’ welcome upon their return to Milwaukee on Saturday night. He said there were about 30 of his relatives among the 4,000 people who cheered them when they got off the plane.
All the veterans received mail call, with letters thanking them for their service.
Schultz has two other sons — Steve, of Oregon, and Bart, of Green Bay — and a daughter, Kelly, of Eau Claire.
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