PARADE FOR HONOR FLIGHT • Nephi citizens turned out on Friday to honor J. Barres Jenkins, 95, after he returned home from his "Honor Flight" to see the World War II monument in Washington D.C. Jenkins was the oldest veteran on the flight. He was accompanied by his son, Charles Jenkins. In the inset photo, Jenkis waves to the crowd.
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Joseph Barres Jenkins, a local World War II veteran, traveled to Washington, D.C. to see the monument created 10 years ago in remembrance of all WWII vet's sacrifices approximately 70 years ago.
Jenkins was the oldest World War II vet on the flight and turns 95 in September.
In addition to being involved in warfare, he also sacrificed in other ways but somehow managed to keep his trademark sense of humor.
"Two years, 10 months, and 20 days—no shower," Jenkins said. "Well, I did go swimming in the Mediterranean Sea but the salt didn't work very well with the soap."
He said that he fought in World War II for four and a half years.
On the trip, the veterans were treated to two banquet dinners, toured the WWII Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and several of the other landmark that dot the Mall in Washington D.C.
The Utah veterans also held a prayer vigil at sundown while visiting the monuments, where they read the names of their friends and family who didn't return from the battlefields.
Dan Curtis and Panoramaland RC&D hope to organize future honor flights for the 9,000 World War II veterans living in Utah.
"It costs about $700 per veteran," said Curtis. "Donations are accepted at any Zions Bank and those interested in participating can visit panoramalandrcd.org."
Those who participate as guardians pay their own way.
They were accompanied by guardians—usually family members—and four volunteers from the Utah Honor Flight's all-volunteer staff.
The primary goal of the trip was to see the memorials. What many of the vets didn't anticipate was the outpouring of gratitude they would receive.
After returning from participation in the first Utah Honor Flight send-off of the year, Jenkins returned to a ride down Main Street escorted by sirens from peace officers' patrol cars, the community fire engine's siren, and emergency medical vehicle sirens, flashing lights and politicians honking horns.
At 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 25, residents lined the sides of Nephi's American Flag festooned Main street, some waving their own flags, cheering and shouting praise and honking vehicle horns.
It was a hero's welcome back to the community which has been Jenkin's home for most of his life.
Twenty-four Utah veterans from Utah participated in the Honor Flight.
Few World War II veterans are still alive to see the memorial. But for those who boarded a plane for the nation's capitol Monday morning, it was a way for the public to show gratitude for the veterans' selfless sacrifice.
Jenkins was like most veterans of World War II, when it was over they wanted to go back to civilian life and put the war behind them.
"I said, I am ready to go home," said Jenkins.
He says he saw and experienced just about everything and had several close calls with bombs.
"I got blown up and when I came to I was next to a big hole which had just barely missed me.
"A good friend I lost," Jenkins remembered. "He was in the same tent as me."
But there is one thing he finally had opportunity to do.
"I wanted to see if I could find his (friend's) name on the monument," Jenkins said.
After returning home from the war, Jenkins says the strongest lesson he learned, and is now passing on to others, is to work to be better.
"My advice is: live a better life."
The group gathered at the Utah National Guard base at 8 a.m. for a special ceremony. Then they boarded buses to take them to Salt Lake International Airport for the flight to Washington, D.C. The Utah National Guard, along with people around the country, made the trip possible through donations.
The entire Utah Congressional delegation welcomed the veterans to the capitol.
A ceremony was held there, and medals were awarded to the vets.
The group returned home to a flag line June 25.
Vets were greeted by the line which traveled from 700 North and 2200 West Salt Lake City.
After serving overseas with the U.S. Army and participating in D-Day invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany, he received the Bronze Star for service rendered beyond the call of duty.
He has been an active member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In past years, he served as a city council member and as mayor of Nephi City.
He has been involved in scouting for over 50 years, attended two National Boy Scout Jamborees, Wood Badge training, and received the Silver Beaver. He also served on the Executive Board of the Utah National Parks Council B.S.A., was a member of the Nephi Nebo Posse, and, among many LDS Church callings, served in the Nephi Stake Presidency.
He is a former owner/operator of Jenkins Sales and Service, the John Deere dealership in Nephi. His hobbies include horseback riding, woodworking, and reading books about early Mormon history.
