LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Korean War veterans from Nevada laid a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in a recent honor flight to Washington D.C.
And while at the memorial, they heard some unexpected words from the President of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation, Steve Lee.
“Thank you for all that you did in the defense of South Korea all those decades ago. What you did for a country that you didn’t know and a people you didn’t know, was you saved them, changed their history and you made America better. It is as simple and as profound as that,” said Steve Lee.
“I can’t explain it in words, but it means so much to me that the people think that much of us for what we did. And we thank God that he brought us through it, brought us back to where we can be here today,” said Korean War veteran Matthew Harville.
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The group later toured the 9/11 Memorial where a plane hit the Pentagon. There are 184 memorial benches with reflecting pools to remember the people killed on the plane and inside the Pentagon.
“This is the first time I’ve gotten to see the memorial. And it’s very moving. It really is. It brings back memories,” said John Ottery.
Ottery was an Honor Flight guardian on the trip with Honor Flight Southern Nevada. Guardians are paired with a veteran the entire trip.
Ottery was working in D.C. on 9/11 and was supposed to be at the Pentagon for a meeting. But he did not go to the Pentagon because the meeting was canceled.
He says a couple of his friends were also set to be at the meeting, which was not in the area where the plane hit. His friends stayed in the Pentagon and ended up in the same location where the plane struck the Pentagon. Both of Ottery’s friends died, including Navy Lt. Commander Eric Cranford, a helicopter pilot who served two tours in the Persian Gulf. Also killed was Lt. Scott Lamana, who helped monitor the Navy’s global fleet in the Pentagon’s Navy Command Center.
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“Good guy, young guy with a family, just kind of starting out. Doing what the Navy asked him to do. Just another day on the job,” said Ottery.
The group also visited the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery along with several other memorials.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada above 5,000 feet and Yosemite National Park, above the Valley floor, from late tonight until Wednesday afternoon.
Heavy snow is forecast.
The snow levels will initially start out between 6,000 to 7,000 feet tonight, before lowering to 5,500 to 6,500 feet on Tuesday, and then down to 4,500 to 5,500 feet on Wednesday.
The heaviest snowfall is expected Tuesday afternoon and evening.
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Minor accumulations of up to two inches is possible down to 4500 feet. The total snow accumulations above the 7,000 foot elevation, will range from three inches to as much as two feet.
Southwest winds could gust as high as fifty to seventy-five mph along the highest peaks. Such strong winds could cause tree damage.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Persons should delay all travel if possible. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below a quarter of a mile due to falling and blowing snow. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.
Persons in the Watch Zone are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you from losing your body heat.
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
