Then, as now, soldiers fight for our freedom

I was on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight on Oct. 18. Destination was Washington, D.C., to see the monument that honored World War II veterans.

I want to thank the many volunteers who helped make this happen. Their experience from previous flights made possible one of the most memorable days in my lifetime.

Sixty-six years ago, when I returned to this country from World War II in Europe, there were some celebrations that soon ended. We returned to our normal lives and war seemed to be forgotten. Same for the Korean War and the veterans of the Vietnam War.

However, on Oct. 18, the crowd that met us at the airport when we returned was beyond belief. There were between 200 and 300 people, an honor guard, choir and a band playing. People lined up to shake our hands and say thank you for our service. Television stations were interviewing veterans.

It was beyond imagination.

Our young men and women are still dying. The sacrifices that every one of our soldiers makes tells us that freedom is not free. We will fight for it as long as it is for a better America and not for people we do not understand and never have.

Jerome Nixon

T/Sgt. U.S. Army Air Corps

Cedar Rapids