MIDDLEBURY — World War II veteran Doug Yantz received quite a surprise on Feb. 3. Three members of North Country Honor Flight along with Rena Trepanier and Joy Minns, members of the Seth Warner – Rhoda Farrand chapter of the DAR, showed up at his daughter’s home to present a few very special honors.
Yantz accompanied several other WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. last September, courtesy of North Country Honor Flight and they spent the day touring the various memorials. While the group was at the World War II memorial, a flag was hoisted over the Pentagon. This flag was presented to Yantz along with a certificate.
Yantz was also presented with a miniaturized pin of his medals and a “Ruptured Duck” pin. This pin was given to all who were honorably discharged. Yantz’s journey to D.C. was in doubt last May when he became ill before his flight. A second flight was canceled when he didn’t have a valid photo ID.
Three tries was almost not the charm when the family’s alarm clock failed and, additionally, the hotel wake-up call was one hour late. A police car appeared at the hotel within minutes of his daughter’s call to Barrie Finnegan of North Country Honor Flight and Doug sped through the streets of Plattsburgh with sirens blaring.
Yantz is from Vergennes and is currently residing at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Middlebury.
Any World War II veteran is encouraged to make an Honor Flight. Their mottos are “One Last Mission” as a “grateful Nation remembers a generation of quiet Heroes.”
The Seth Warner – Rhoda Farrand Chapter would be delighted to recognize and sponsor another worthy World War II veteran. Interested veterans could contact Joy Minns at [email protected] or 475-2296. To learn more about this special trip, check out nchonorflight.org.