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Tinley Park resident, William (Bill) Buckler, was praised and thanked by the Chicago branch of Honor Flight on Tuesday, July 14. Buckler is a WWII veteran who after years of encouragement

from his children, submitted his name to be part of an Honor Flight to Washington DC. However, once COVID-19 hit, Honor Flight postponed all trips. In an effort to still recognize the

veterans service, a volunteer from Honor Flight came to Buckler’s residence with a lawn sign identifying him as a veteran of war, as well as thanking him for his service. Buckler enlisted in

the Army Air Force when he was just 17. Months later, after his 18th birthday, he swore in at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. After being stationed at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, Buckler

had hoped to train as a pilot but the Army Air Force had suspended that program, so he went to Lowery Field in Denver, Colorado for Gunnery Training. Buckler was stationed in Okinawa,

Japan. He remembers the ship ride and stopping at Pearl Harbor to take a fresh water shower after leaving from San Francisco seven days prior. While in Okinawa, Buckler remembers being told,

“Buck if you go to the Northern end of the island, bring an armed convey with you.” It wasn’t until he came home that he found out that they did not have control over the north side of

Okinawa. Donna Finley, Buckler’s daughter, said, “It is such a blessing to listen to first hand stories that he experienced.” He really enjoys thinking about the time he spent in the service

and the people he met along the way. He realizes now just how young he was when he enlisted and wonders how his mother felt when he left home commented Donna. According to their website,

Honor Flight has a “mission to Honor, Thank and Inspire our senior war heroes...For the remainder of the 2020 season, our focus shifts to making certain that our veterans – both our alumni

and those who still await their deserved Day of Honor – feel the appreciation, respect and love that they earned through their service to our country during a time of war.” Honor Flight is

“excited to step up to the challenge of honoring our heroes in a safe and responsible manner until we are ready to begin flying again in 2021.” Buckler said he cannot wait to fly with them

next year.