MOUNT VERNON — A deer almost ended the visit of two Knox County World War II veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
John and Diane Holley had picked up Pearl Frye and Francis Constantikes in the pre-dawn hours Saturday and were on their way to Port Columbus when a deer bolted across the road. The collision damaged the van’s radiator, but they were able to make it back to Mount Vernon, change vehicles, and reach the airport in time for the Honor Flight trip to Washington.
The day started early and ended late, but the women said they had a “wonderful time” and couldn’t say enough nice things about the Honor Flight volunteers who accompanied them on the trip and saw to all their needs while in Washington.
Honor Flight is a national effort to provide free trips to Washington, D.C., for World War II veterans to visit the memorial erected in their honor on the National Mall. While there, they also visit other historical sites. Constantikes and Frye both enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps in 1943 and served through the end of the war.
It was a long day for the 80 veterans and 47 volunteers who made the flight but, said Frye, “We had such a good time we didn’t realize how tired we were.”