AMARILLO, TEXAS -- America's veterans, from this war and every war, are a special group of men and women who have given a lot to our country. Later this month and next, a group of Amarillo veterans will be honored with a trip to Washington, D.C. Right now, more than 3,000 veterans live in the Texas Panhandle. Pronews 7 had the honor of meeting one of them, Charlie Nickerson, a WWII Veteran. Next Wednesday, September 8th, he will leave on the "Honor Flight" sponsored by America Supports You Texas for his first trip to Washington, D.C. Nickerson spent 3 years and 3 months in Germany from 1942 to 1946, traveling through France, Germany, Belgium and Austria while he served in the military.
"We just did some carpentry work and finish work in those bombed out buildings and you know, we just setup kitchen and places for beds and so forth," said Charile Nickerson, WWII Veteran.
Nickerson says because of a lazy eye he was considered disabled and wasn't able to fight on the front lines during WWII, but says it was a blessing. Instead, he worked at fine tuning his skills as a barber, pastry chief, engineer, even a police officer. Nickerson says during his first "Honor Flight" trip to Washington, D.C. he looks forward to exchanging war stories with other veterans and visiting the WWII memorial where his older brother's name is engraved. He was killed in battle just 6 days after the invasion of Normandy.
"Because it's a group of veterans, you know, so I thought it be good and going to the wall to see my brothers name and stuff on there,"said Nickerson.
Nickerson also told Pronews 7 his favorite time spent overseas during WWII was visiting Paris.
Meantime a second "Honor Flight" leaves for Washington, D.C. in October. If you would like to make a donation to "America Supports you Texas" to help send our veterans like Nickerson on the "Honor Flight," send a check or money order to the address below.
ASY TX
P.O. Box 3218
Amarillo, TX 79116
or call 806-681-3596
