Columbus Technical College is sending four instructors and students from the health sciences department on Tuesday’s West Georgia Honor Flight.
“I'm really kind of going in honor of my dad. He's not been well this summer. But he's a WWII veteran,” said Kellie Byrd, a nursing instructor at the College.
TJ Ray was in the 101st Airborne Division, better known as the Screaming Eagles. He jumped in Normandy on D-Day. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. TJ was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
“I was always very proud of my dad. Always was in awe of him and very proud to tell people about his experiences in WWII,” said Kellie.
Carl Sandy doesn't have a parent that fought in the war. But the program manager of surgical technology is equally as proud of the Greatest Generation.
“Well over 400,000 Americans died in 3 and a half years. And I think the WWII veterans are probably the last great generation, or the best generation in our country's history,” he said.
Carl is a veteran himself. He and Byrd will be accompanied by two nursing students from the college. All will serve as guardians to the men and women that made up the Greatest Generation.