Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
As Americans reflect on those who’ve lost their lives in the military, Spectrum News 1 reporter Andy Young recently traveled to Washington, D.C. with a group of veterans aboard the Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight.
When it was their turn — they answered the call; brave men and women who were called to serve their country.
They’ve given so much, and now it’s their turn to get something back. A crew of United States military veterans took one more tour with honor.
They embarked on a trip to Washington, D.C. to remember their fallen friends and the sacrifices each of them has made.
"Uncle Sam came and he said, ‘I want you.’ He didn’t ask any questions. He said ‘I want you and you’re going," said Andrew Balog of Erie, Pa.
At 100 years old, Balog is among the last of the greatest generation. In the midst of World War II he was drafted into the Army medical service at the age of 22.
"I wasn’t nervous," Balog said. "Everybody else was being drafted so I didn’t mind it. I didn’t want to stay back at home. Everybody was being drafted so I went. I was happy to go."
Balog served from 1942 to 1945 on the Pacific island of Saipan, working in hospitals and helping to heal the wounded.
"When you’re going to war and you’re in it, if you come out of it you’re lucky,” he said. “Some make it and some don’t.”
It’s an experience he appreciates, and an outcome he does not take for granted.
"There’s too many wars going on,” he said. “That’s about it. It’s not a very nice thing. War is terrible any way you look at it.”
Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a solemn reminder of those who perished in service to their country.
"I cried my eyes out, because him and I, we pal’d around a lot in our younger years," said Wayne Braniff.
Braniff joined the Army when he was just 18 years old. His brother, Patrick, was in the Navy. Sadly, Patrick's and an instructor’s lives were cut short while they flying a plane.
"They flew into a flock of vultures and both wings come up and kaboom, got them both right in the cockpit,” Braniff said. “[It] killed them instantly.”
Patrick Braniff is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Thirty years since Wayne’s last visit, and with the help of the Honor Flight crew, he was able to find his brother’s final resting place.
"When I went to his grave I was just about like I’m doing now,” Wayne said. “They were happy tears.”
It’s a moment he will forever cherish, and one more chance to be reunited with his brother.
"I thought, my brother’s up there right now, he’s probably going to come down and talk to me, because he knew I finally found his grave," Braniff said.
Time and distance are no longer obstacles for Wayne Braniff and many of the other veterans aboard Honor Flight Mission 13.
Since 2016, Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight has taken more than 500 veterans plus their travel companions to Washington to visit the military memorials. The next trip that is open for applications is in October.
To apply to join the next mission as a veteran or volunteer, or donate to the cause, you can go to buffaloniagarahonorflight.org.