TYLER (KYTX) - Most Americans will celebrate our country's 236th year of freedom with family, food and fireworks. But for those who have fought to protect that freedom, it's also a day of reflection. CBS 19's Amanda Roberson sat down with a group of veterans and has more on what the fourth means to them.
More than two dozen golf carts at Emerald Bay were decked out with patriotism as family and friends celebrated the fourth with a parade Wednesday morning. But five veterans, representing three wars, had sacrifices made for freedom on their mind too.
"When I was 17 in high school, that goes back to 1943, I decided I wanted to enlist in the Air Force," said World War II veteran Harmon Hodge. "I wanted to fly P48's or P51's, it didn't matter which one."
"It was not my choice," explained Korean War veteran Earl Stout. "I had just gotten out of college and I was drafted. Matter of fact it came as sort of a surprise to me that I got drafted."
No matter their reason for going to war, these veterans are the reason we can celebrate freely.
"It's quite an enjoyable sight just seeing all of them enjoy having such a good time," added World War II veteran Bill Hatchett. Hatchett served 11 months flying out of the Solomon Islands during WWII, taking pictures on reconnaissance missions leading up to bombing in Japan. "I thought we really needed to go and get after them, after them attacking our country."
While the war was won, remembering his crewman is bittersweet. "Every time I find an area where they live, they're already gone to heaven. I've never been able to find another one of my air crewman."
Vietnam War veteran Chuck Collins gets a different feeling when he looks back at his time spent overseas. "It was a conflict none of us enjoyed and we didn't win anything. I feel like it was a waste of our country's time and money and too many things went negatively there."
Despite that, Collins said he's proud he served and loves his country. "It makes me so proud it's hard not to tear up. Looking at it, and enjoying it, and seeing it."
"Freedom. Freedom, freedom, freedom."
Though WWII veteran Elzie Clark looks at notes today, he said the day he entered the beaches of Normandy is one he will never forget. "We went on Omaha and Utah Beach and up and around and all through Southern France and I was in General Patton's group and we all went 'yeah!' because we knew we were going to get in to it."
Getting in to protect our freedom; something fellow Hodge said we should appreciate daily. "We can be eternally grateful for those that made this country what it is and makes it possible for us to be here and have this kind of fun."
