WASHINGTON — Sixteen million American men and women served in the nation’s armed forces during World War II. But as of late last year, fewer than 170,000 of them were still living.
Monday morning at the National World War II Memorial, the annual Memorial Day ceremony honored the more than 400,000 casualties of the conflict and the veterans who have since died.
“All the fellows I was in the service with, they’re gone,” said Navy veteran Les Jones, 97, of San Clemente, Calif, who served on a destroyer escort and saw action in the Atlantic, Pacific and African theaters. “I’m the only one left” from his group of friends.
World War II veteran Les Jones speaks with Jacob Sypolt of Preston County, W. Va. at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. “You’re the kind of guy I put my life on the line for,” he told Sypolt. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Jones and two other members of the “Greatest Generation” took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the conclusion of the event. The others were Dixon Hemphill, a veteran of the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, and Callan Saffell, who served in the Pacific theater.
They were joined by Gold Star son retired Col. Robert Meek Jr., whose father, Lt. Robert Meek Sr., was killed in Italy in October 1944.
Jones said the first time he saw the World War II Memorial a few years ago, “it immediately took me back to my buddies. This is something that will represent them all the time. It’s fantastic.”
Monday’s event had a special sadness for Jones, who recently lost his wife to cancer. “First time I ever came here, I was with my wife,” he recalled. “I can look around and see places where we stood (together), and it brings back a lot of memories.”
Jones has led an active life. winning gold medals in the Senior Olympics in events ranging from cross-country skiing to swimming to cycling. He ran the Los Angeles Marathon at age 75. Now he tries to pass his stories and the memory of his fallen friends along to the newer generations. He spent a lot of time Monday talking to numerous young visitors to the Memorial, including a group of 44 students from Kenosha, Wis.
“Those guys are our future,” he said, “and we need a good future.”
Bugler Sgt 1st Class Jeffrey Northman plays taps at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Brass Quintet plays at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Brass Quintet plays at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
From left, World War II veteran Les Jones, Gold Star son Robert Meek Jr., Dixon Hemphill, Callan Saffell and retired Maj. Gen. John Herrling sit in front of the fountain at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Veterans and other guests at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
World War II veteran Les Jones, left, grasps the hand of a student from Kenosha, Wis., at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
World War II veteran Les Jones greets students from Kenosha, Wis., at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
World War II veteran Les Jones chats with a student from Kenosha, Wis., at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
World War II veteran Les Jones greets students from Kenosha, Wis., at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Wreaths laid at the honor wall at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The Armed Forced Color Guard at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Veteran Les Jones greets visitors from Kenosha, Wis., at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Veterans pay tribute at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The Armed Forced Color Guard at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Crowds pay tribute at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The Armed Forces Color Guard at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Wreaths laid at the honor wall at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
