Charles Day WWII Veteran

HUGHSON, Calif. — World War II took place over 70 years ago, and many World War II veterans are not here today. The Central Valley Honor Flight takes veterans on a whirlwind tour of Washington D.C. so they can visit the war memorials that were built in their honor.

One lucky World War II veteran got to go on the trip with his grandson, who was his guardian.

“The helpers in many cases were the children or grandchildren of the veterans,” Charles Day says. “They wore blue, but it was all organized and they were told if they had good Velcro tape that they were going to tape us [the veterans] together.”

Each veteran is paired with a guardian who stays within an arm’s length to make sure their vet stays safe.

Day says he was sent his draft papers after attending San Jose State. He signed his enlistment papers to the army in 1944 and served 39 years. He retired from the military in 1980.

“I got out of San Jose state and I went to Stanford working my MA and Ph.D., and they said ‘you got 10 days.’”

Day and his grandson spent three days in Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight tour. On the flight back home from the war memorials, the veterans received cards and notes, from friends, family, and admirers, thanking them for their service

“It was really moving,” Day says.

Rocky Wilson is another Army veteran who spent his whole career serving our country. He enlisted in the army at the end of World War II and climbed up the ranks just like Charles Day.

“To give me my rank or my next step of my rank, you know they kind of made you work for it. You didn’t automatically get it,” Wilson says.

Day now has some unique hobbies that he teaches his neighbors. He plays Mahjong which is like cards because there are different suites and numbers. He plays Mahjong with his neighbors every Tuesday night in the game lounge where he lives.

Day has dedicated his life to serving our country, and appreciation for his service is recognized nationwide. He believes that every war veteran should participate in Honor Flight because it is a lifetime experience.