Four generations of the DeBaecke family gathered Saturday night for an emotional homecoming after the latest Villages Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Though the government shutdown and barricades have dominated news coverage from the nation’s capitol, the political turmoil took nothing away from the journey.
Congressmen from our area greeted the veterans at the war memorials. You can read more about that at the link below:
http://villages-news.com/entertainment-begins-930-p-m-welcome-home-wwii-vets/
“It was unbelievable,” said Villager Ivan DeBaecke who was one of 26 World War II veterans to travel to the nation’s capitol with Villages Honor Flight.
His son, Chuck, and grandson, Mike, both military men in their own right, were there for the proud homecoming at American Legion Post 347. They traveled here from Jacksonville for the event.
Ivan DeBaecke’s four great-grandchildren — Chase, Kaylin, Lauren and Makenna — made signs to welcome him home.
Jim Loguidice of the Village of Sabal Chase served as a guardian accompanying one of the vets on the day-long trip to Washington D.C.
“They were treated like the ultimate military heroes. The crowd reaction, well, it’s something you would have to see to believe,” he said.
Eva Lundberg of the Village of Rio Grande eagerly awaited her husband Charles’ return Saturday night, rekindling a feeling she had so many years ago when he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
“We fell in love during high school. We had plans to get married. The war started and he volunteered,” she said.
The young newlyweds were separated. His ship was part of an English convoy in the Mediterranean Sea. The ship was attacked and sank.
“He was swimming in the ocean,” she said.
Eventually, the long separation ended and they went about the business of raising a family.
Saturday night, the couple of more than 70 years was joined at the homecoming event by their children, Jackie St. Clair and Chuck Lundberg, who both make their home in Del Webb Spruce Creek.
You can learn more about Villages Honor Flight at the link below:
http://www.villageshonorflight.org/
