Posted on 05/28/2007 9:42:44 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
World War II veteran Glen Litfin survived so much in his life. He was a sergeant in the Army, earning a Purple Heart for fighting in the Pacific during the 1940s but in recent years his own heart started to weaken.
At 85 years of age, this man from Delano, Minn. learned of an effort in nearby Waconia, Minn., which gave his last weeks on Earth meaning. Residents of Waconia raised $60,000 to send 121 veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the National World War II Memorial.
Glen would go on that trip. It was the final mission he wanted to accomplish.
"We were all there to send him off and to greet him when he came back," remembered Glen's widow, Arlene Litfin. "He was just so happy. It was wonderful."
Arlene remembers the parade through Waconia's downtown the night they came back from the trip. Hundreds of people lined the street, welcoming these veterans home as heroes.
"The first thing [my father] said was, 'Do you know we got a police escort to the airport and back?' That was a big deal to Dad," said Glen's son, Tim Litfin.
On Wednesday, April 25, 2007, Glen saw the memorial. On Sunday, May 20, 2007, he died at his Delano home, surrounded by his family.
"I think it was predestined, it was, that dad would be around for this trip and then gracefully go," said Tim Litfin. "He got to do what he wanted, and he checked out."
Glen received a military escort in Washington, D.C. when his grandson, Phillip Litfin, surprised him by sneaking away from the U.S. Naval Academy. His daughter Connie also joined Glen on the day-long trip.
"It was a mini family reunion there for dad and that was instant comfort," said Tim.
An amazing gift from a small Minnesota town that transformed so many lives, proved to be the perfect coda, to this one life.
"Oh, I'm so happy that he went and was a part of it, we were all so very happy for him," said Arlene.
Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
“I think its wonderful what the town did for him. What a great farewell to an American hero.”
Right you are....
Excellent post.
Both Glen Litfin and the residents of Delano, Minn. are to be thanked. Glen for his service and the residents for making it possible for him to see the WWII Memorial.
Ping your lists, Jaz.......
Special ping for the Oliver North and Haditha Marine lists.
a heartwarming story
Outstanding. Thanks for posting.
Rest in peace.
What a great story, and what a lovely gift from that town to their vets.
A Great post! A Great town! And a Great American Hero!
Glen, thankyou for your service.
There is a charitable organization that’s been established to take WWII Vets to the memorial at no cost to them. Check out http://www.honorflight.org
I have the privilege of working with the program here in the Cleveland, Ohio area. We need to do more for these heroes before they aren’t any left to thank!
Thanks for the ping, jaz! Great story.
Beautiful.
Thank you for the ping, jazusamo.
That was a special ping. Thanks.
Thanking you through a few tears for the ping, jazusamo.
God bless!
Looks like God figured this hero needed that last reunion to be carried out. Mission accomplished.
BTTT
By the way, they need to improve the parking situation there for seniors. And folks should be forewarned: it gets hot in there.
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