In August 1945, Uncle Sam “invited” me to join the United States Armed Forces. Due to the critical shortage of medical and dental personnel at that time, I was trained as a dental assistant to help the discharge process for the returning troops. About six months later, I was sent to Korea, where I was again assigned to be a dental assistant to Dr. Arthur J. Del Zio, a 1943 Marquette University School of Dentistry graduate. He inspired me to pursue Dentistry as a career. He gave me excellent advice concerning our profession and we remained close friends.
The second experience I had while serving in Korea that I cherish to this day is the friendship I developed with the Korean houseboy, Kyung Bok Han, who helped clean our small dental clinic. I taught him, at his insistence, English in my spare time. What little I was able to teach him enabled him to become employed as a translator for the U.S. Army, and, after further more formal instruction, he became a professor of Conversational English at the Inha University in Inchon, Korea. I have maintained a connection with him and his family all these years.
I feel very fortunate and honored to have had the opportunity to participate on the Honor Flight activated by the veterans group of Port Washington. My oldest daughter, Mary, chose to be my “guardian angel” for the trip and that proved to be a special father/daughter bonding bonus.
Dr. Robert Weber (Sheboygan Falls) with his daughter Mary.
The day included time for meditation, emotion, education and remembrance. The volunteers went out of their way to make it a very special occasion.
Upon boarding the plane in Washington D.C., loads of people were present at the airport to bid us goodbye but that was nothing compared to the reception that greeted us upon our return at General Mitchell Field. It was difficult to restrain tears as wave after wave of people of all ages and nationalities welcomed us home.
All in all, the Honor Flight was an exceptional experience and I would recommend it for anyone in our profession who has served our country in any way.
Robert C. (Bob) Weber, D.D.S. MUSOD ‘53
Thank you to all those that have served our country! Happy Memorial Day!
Dear brother vet, I’m so glad you got to experience the “Honor Flight”. The older we get, the more we reflect on and appreciate having the opportunity to serve. What an emotional “rush” to experience your well deserved special recognition.