McCaw and Dayton Trio Visit D.C.

WAITSBURG - Jack McCaw is one of those people that you don't have to exert much effort to interview. You simply ask a question or two, then sit back and enjoy as the entertainment begins.

When I learned that McCaw had recently participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., I decided to take advantage of my official "news reporter" status to hear all about it. He didn't disappoint -- in the course of 45 minutes I laughed, held back tears and was filled with an extra shot of good ole' American patriotism.

For those not familiar with the program, "Inland Northwest Honor Flight's mission is to transport Inland Northwest war veterans to Washington D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices." The Honor Flight program is one-hundred percent donation-based and currently focuses on serving World War II veterans.

"There's a good reason for that," said 86 year-old Mc- Caw. "I was one of the youngest ones on the trip!" In fact, the coordinator deemed him "in good shape" after determining over the phone that he didn't need oxygen, a wheelchair or crutches. McCaw said at least 20 of the men he travelled with were in wheelchairs and one gentleman he spoke with was 96 years old. Eighty-four veterans took last week's flight, including Dayton locals, Lowell Richter (Air Corps - Guam), Fred Gritman, Sr. (Army - Italy), and Bob Budig (Marine - Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima).

In March of 1945, 18-year-old McCaw volunteered in the Navy, enlisting for "duration plus 6 months". The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in August of that year ended the war, but Jack remained in service until September of '46. Stationed in Subic Bay, Philippines, McCaw worked as an engine room Machine Man and Motor Machinist Mate on three Landing Ship Mediums ( LSMs); the 368, the 159 and the 80.

"I think one of the neatest things about the Honor Flight was spending time talking with people that were so deserving," said McCaw of his fellow veterans, politely excusing himself from that description. He was also incredibly impressed with the level of hospitality the group received. "People couldn't have been any better and every- one helping looked like they really enjoyed being there."

The group was greeted by a welcoming com- mittee in Spokane as they arrived for their depar- ture flight at 6 a.m. on Sept. 23. McCaw isn't sure how many were on the flight, but said the plane - a Sun Country Charter Boeing 737 -- held 162 and looked "chock full." Many of the veterans brought guides to help them - Fred Gritman, Jr. of Waits- burg attended his father - and Spokane's KREM TV anchorman Randy Shaw and crew tagged along to cover the trip.

The more than four-hour flight landed the group in D.C. where they checked in at the Downtown Hilton before heading off for Arlington National Cemetery. A tour of the 640 acre grounds was fol- lowed by witnessing an impressive Changing of the Guard ceremony.

McCaw explained that Confederates were originally denied burial at Arlington. Later, when that decision was overturned, the Confederate headstones were marked with a design distinct from the Union soldiers. "They told us the Con- federate tombstones had pointed tops 'to keep the $%&! Yankees from sitting on them'!" said McCaw, laughing. Sure enough, the Official Web- site of the Arlington National Cemetery website confirms this "legend", though the expletive is judiciously omitted.

The group returned to the Hilton where they were honored at an impressive "spit and polish" banquet before retiring for the evening. McCaw commented repeatedly on how "royally" he was treated throughout the trip. "He's had a big come- down since he got home!" quipped wife, Loretta.

Wednesday morning, the group loaded into three chartered buses and set out to tour the me- morials and monuments. A police escort led the way, clearing traffic for the honorees.

"The Vietnam memorial really got me," said McCaw. "Seeing all those names . . ." McCaw was touched by the World War II memorial, par- ticularly awed by the 4,000 gold stars covering the Freedom Wall, each representing 100 lives lost. He was also impressed with the Lincoln Memorial where he took the time to read the entire Gettysburg Address inscribed alongside the sculpture.

After a day-long whirlwind tour of memori- als, the group boarded their flight home. Unbe- knownst to McCaw, there were more surprises in store. "When you're in the service, 'mail call' is a really big deal," said Jack who went on to describe how, about two-thirds of the way home, "mail call" was announced on the plane. He was handed a large manila envelope filled with greetings from well-wishers across the country. McCaw pulled out and read me a colorfully illustrated note penned by a young girl thanking him for his service and wishing him a good trip.

Letters from McCaw's children and grand- children, including grandson Wyatt Withers, who is currently serving in the Navy, were especially meaningful. The biggest surprise however, was a red, white and blue envelope bearing a 6-cent airmail stamp and holding a note, handwritten on official United States Navy stationary. The letter, dated July 2, 1946, was written by McCaw to his parents, though he has no recollection of writing it. Son J.E. had found the letter and thought to include it.

One excerpt reads: "Guess what I got yester- day! A Xmas package. That's the first time I ever celebrated Xmas on the 1st of July. The cookies were still good but the candy was a little mashed. Thanks alot, anyway!"

Arriving back in Spokane a mere 36 hours after their departure, the group was welcomed by a group of 300, complete with a brass band from Medical Lake High School! "I'm really glad I went," said Mc Caw, who had required a bit of encouragement from former Honor Flight recipient Delbert Mock. "It was well done; very, very well done."

More information on the Honor Flight program can be found at www.inwhonorflight.org.