87-year-old Santa Rosa Beach veteran makes the Honor Flight journey

After more than 60 years, Santa Rosa Beach resident Forrest Taylor still recalls easily the names — first and last — of many of his World War II comrades.

“We would have become lifelong friends had they lived,” he said, his eyes glistening. “Every time I look at those simple white crosses, I see sleeping under them a boy whose life was cut short and didn't have the opportunity to officially grow into manhood. What would have been my lifelong friends are sleeping under those crosses.”

On Oct. 21, as Taylor boarded his Washington, D.C.-bound flight from Pensacola airport, he was realizing a dream come true.

Taylor had been on the Honor Flight waiting list for two years to visit the nation’s World War II memorial. He knew it would be a one-shot deal and an honor to get to go, but he didn't realize just how deeply it would touch him and the other 102 World War II veterans on the flight.

“It was a day of tributes,” said the soft-spoken Taylor. 

The tributes began as they were greeted by the USO on arrival at Pensacola's airport, and then on Pensacola's runway.

“The plane got in front of the air traffic control tower and stopped. In front of the control tower were several fire trucks with their lights flashing and sirens going, and the ladder truck had its ladder raised with a big American flag flying from the top. That was the first surprise,” he said.

On the plane, each man was handed an envelope. Inside his, Taylor found letters from three schoolchildren in Maryland, thanking him for his sacrifice and contribution to our country. 

The tributes continued when the plane landed at Reagan International Airport.

“As the plane approached its gate, there were more fire trucks lined up to welcome us and there were American flags everywhere. The fire trucks sprayed our plane with their hoses. It was announced they only do that for planes carrying dignitaries,” he said.

As he left the plane, Taylor could hear the sound of people clapping.

“I didn't know what it was, but when I reached the waiting room, there were hundreds of people there, all clapping, who had formed an aisle for us to walk through. Many of them reached out to touch us and shook our hands, and thanking us. I looked at those folks and realized most could not have been born in the '40s. How do I explain that American spirit — that people I don't know would take the time to come to the airport and thank us?”

The 103 men were transported to the sites of the WWII, Korean, Lincoln, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials.

 Taylor chokes back tears as he tries to talk of his visit to the WWII Memorial, and finally gives up.

“It was a very emotional and teary day,” he says simply. 

Taylor was only 20 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry in 1943. He landed in England in 1944, and then fought his way through France, Belgium and into Germany. His unit received three battle stars for its participation in the Battle of the Bulge, Vineland and another in central Europe.

Taylor won't discuss his own stars or medals, however, or the horrors of war. Again, he tears up at its mention and dismisses any accolades with, “There were a lot who were much braver than me. Some of us are here today because of them. Soldiers don't talk about such things except with other soldiers.” 

Before leaving Washington, Taylor had his picture taken with former Sen. Bob Dole and earned the distinction of being the only one in his group to climb to the top of the Lincoln Memorial.

 The plane ride there and back was a quiet one, said Taylor. “We didn't mix and mingle as we might have in our younger days. We all sat quietly with our own thoughts.”

They returned to one final tribute as friends, family, supportive strangers and an honor guard awaited them at Pensacola Airport.

Taylor said visiting the WWII Memorial lent a feeling of accomplishment, but he said the Reagan International Airport reception was also exceptionally moving.

“There are no adjectives to describe what was happening to us on the Honor Flight. After walking through the waiting room at Reagan International and people wanting to reach out and touch you — how does a common man explain the emotion? You can feel it but can't explain,“ he said.

Taylor lives on the bay in South Walton near his daughter, Jane. He is currently writing a story about his WWII experience for his three children. When not writing, he can be found walking three miles a day, volunteering at Caring & Sharing of South Walton, or at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.

To find out more about Honor Flight or to nominate a veteran, visit www.honorflight.org.