Heroes welcomed
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When 35 Valley veterans walked through the thresholds of the National World War II Memorial on May 17, they became instant celebrities.
As the men -- ages 78 to 86 -- huddled for a photograph in front of a reflecting pool, visitors from across the nation and world shifted their focus from the granite and bronze of the memorial to the gray-haired World War II veterans it honored.
Strangers pulled out cameras -- from dime-store disposables to expensive digitals -- and positioned themselves along a wall to try to get the best shot of the proud group.
It soon became evident the $174 million structure -- which will be dedicated Saturday -- couldn't compete with the men who left their homes, lost friends and family members, and were a part of the battles and events whose names are etched into the columns of the memorial.
Most people seeing these men at local grocery stores, gas stations or diners wouldn't realize that some had stormed the beaches of Normandy, fought Japanese in Pacific island jungles or survived years in German prisoner of war camps.
But standing shoulder-to-shoulder May 17 in the memorial built to salute them, the veterans were treated as the heroes they are -- men who fought to save the world from the domination of dictators.
After the group photo, the veterans received a spontaneous round of applause from onlookers.
While the men investigated the memorial, they were approached by strangers wanting to hear their stories of World War II, shake their hands or give them hugs.
It was an experience that surprised the Valley vets participating in the bus trip sponsored by the Valley News Dispatch and Thomas Tours.
"The way the people clapped when we were taking pictures, I didn't expect that," said 84-year-old Army veteran Frank Gervasi of Vandergrift. "One couple in their 60s, we couldn't get rid of. They make you feel like you were something."
Gervasi was drafted in June 1942, and spent more than 300 days overseas. He was captured by German forces in Africa in 1943 and eventually was freed by British troops. As an infantryman, he went on to fight in a number of battles in Europe.
Gervasi and Paul Petrarca, 82, also of Vandergrift, who served in the Army Air Corps, were approached by three men from Ethiopia. Petrarca said the men wanted to know a little bit about where they served and what their roles were.
"I never expected it," Petrarca said of being approached by complete strangers.
Bruck Nigusse, an Ethiopian native living in Maryland, said he approached the men because it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a World War II veteran standing next to him while looking at the memorial.
Nigusse walked over to Gervasi and Petrarca as they were looking at the Freedom Wall of 4,000 gold stars commemorating the more than 400,000 Americans who died in World War II.
"It's nice to see them look at it and to ask questions when they see it," Nigusse said.
Navy veteran Don Lowers, 79, of Arnold was given a hug by a Japanese girl who was with a friend.
"They were two of the prettiest girls you will ever see," he said.
While Albert Gaydos, 86, of Harmar was sitting on a bench along the inside wall of the memorial talking about his service in the 3rd Army, 4th Armored Division, a stranger overheard the conversation and shook Gaydos' hand.
Gaydos, who said his body isn't what it used to be, said he is proud to tell people he served nine months in combat.
Gen. George S. Patton "said our division was his favorite," Gaydos proudly recalled.
"Winston Churchill said there wasn't one division like us in the whole United States military," Gaydos said.
But soldiers in the division didn't dwell on what people thought about the unit, he said.
"We were just doing out job."
That attitude can be seen and heard from most World War II veterans who sacrificed some of the best years of their lives to ensure freedom for the world.
Army Air Corps veteran Albert Chamrad, 79, of Lower Burrell said the veterans standing at the memorial May 17 were "the lucky ones."
He enlisted at the age of 17 and was a tail gunner on a B-17 bomber. He said he flew 35 missions in the European Theater.
"I was very proud to protect our flag," Chamrad said. "I like to see that flag flown and I hate to see anybody destroy it."
Additional Information:
Who got tickets
National World War II Memorial spokeswoman Betsy Glick said 117,000 tickets were given away for seats to Saturday's dedication ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Another 30,000 to 40,000 people, without tickets, will be let into a 'viewing area' on the National Mall, Glick said, and a satellite TV feed of the dedication will be available nationally.
'With 4 million World War II veterans still living, and many who have spouses, we knew there was no way we could get everyone on the mall for the dedication,' Glick said. 'It just isn't possible.'
An estimated 60 percent of the ticketed guests at the dedication are of the World War II generation and were picked to attend by veterans service groups, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Glick said.
-- The Associated Press
