WNY Heroes to see WWII Memorial

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - More than two dozen World War II veterans are on a journey of a lifetime. World War II veterans gathered at the airport to see the monument built in honor of their service and commitment to this country.

At 7 a.m., World War II Veterans boarded a flight at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to see a memorial built in their honor.

Richard Weber and 24 World War II Veterans will get to see the monument in Washington, D.C. for the first time. Weber said, “Oh, I’m really excited about it.”

New York State Senator George Maziarz said, “You know when you think about these World War II Vets, they were 17, 18 years old when they left their farms, their homes, their jobs, their school and went out and saved the world.”

State Senator Maziarz coordinated the Western New York Hero Flight. Maziarz said, “I think the least we can do is let them see the memorial.”

The memorial opened in 2004. It stands in honor of the 16 million people who risked their lives during World War II from 1939 to 1945.

Weber is a Navy Seaman First Class. Weber said, “I went over in 45. I was one of the last to go overseas.”

But not everyone came home. Four hundred thousand service men and women died in the war.