Bremerton resident given Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

It took Navy veteran Bill Nickerson nearly 63 years, but he finally made it to a place he never dreamed he’d go: Washington D.C., and the many war memorials that dot the nation’s capital.

By Mark Briant • October 27, 2016 6:17 pm

Tags: Bremerton

BREMERTON — It took Navy veteran Bill Nickerson nearly 63 years, but he finally made it to a place he never dreamed he’d go: Washington D.C., and the many war memorials that dot the nation’s capital.

“I’d never even been east of the Mississippi River,” said Nickerson, who now lives at the Willows Retirement Community in East Bremerton. “This was a very emotional trip for me.”

Nickerson, 83, went to the nation’s capital as a guest of Honor Flight, an all-volunteer organization that offers war veterans the opportunity for “one last mission.” Veterans are treated to an all-expenses trip to the nation’s capital.

Nickerson spent his wartime service working at the receiving station at Pier 91 in Seattle, re-provisioning each ship as it prepared for the turnaround back to East Asia. And while he did not see combat, he is clear in his own mind about one thing: “I am a veteran of the Korean Conflict,” he said proudly.

But until just a couple of months ago, Nickerson had no idea such a trip was really going to happen.

“I heard about the Honor Flights through one of the veterans’ organizations I belong to, so I sent in an application,” Nickerson said. “But I didn’t hear anything for two years, and I just forgot about it. Then someone from Puget Sound Honor Flight called me to tell me I was on the list.”

So Nickerson woke at 1 a.m. on a brisk October morning and was chauffeured to Sea-Tac airport, where he boarded an 8 a.m. cross-county flight filled with 130 veterans, guardians and family. Although the group got a cook’s tour of all of the memorials, one in particular held special significance for Nickerson.

“I wanted to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington,” he said.

Honor Flight organizers had saved that one for last. And for Nickerson, a special moment unfolded in front of him as he stood quietly in front of the tomb. Three small children were struggling to lay a large wreath at the base of the memorial. A member of the U.S. Marines honor guard walked over and gently assisted the children to get the wreath into place. As he watched, Nickerson’s eyes welled up with tears.

“That was a wonderful moment,” he said. “I never saw a grown man — a Marine — be so gentle.”

Nickerson has slowed down a fair bit. Now he requires a walker to get around, but his memory remains as sharp as ever. His apartment wall is covered by medals, commendations, and even a personal letter of gratitude from Lee Myung Bak, president of the Republic of Korea (known to most Americans as South Korea).

“Some Americans have called it the Forgotten War,” the president wrote. “But the Korean people will never forget your service.”

When he returned to Sea-Tac after another cross-country flight, something telling happened.

“I had taken a cab home, and I offered the guy a tip,” Nickerson said. “He wouldn’t take it. That’s the first time I ever had a cabbie refuse a tip.”

For more information on Honor Flights and how to contribute, volunteer or submit an application, visit pugetsoundhonorflight.org, or call 253-303-1130.