A Korean War vet living in the western suburbs is remembering his service – and a recent honor – ahead of Veterans Day.
Airman First Class Bob Usiak joined other Korean War vets, along with some who served in Vietnam and World War II, on an honor flight in August. He described the treatment he and the others received on their trip to Washington, D.C. as “really swell.”
A Korean War vet living in the western suburbs is remembering his service – and a recent honor – ahead of Veterans Day.
Airman First Class Bob Usiak joined other Korean War vets, along with some who served in Vietnam and World War II, on an honor flight in August. He described the treatment he and the others received on their trip to Washington, D.C. as “really swell.”
“We are getting more recognized for what we are doing; and before no one cared too much,” he said.
Usiak served as an Air Force radio operator in Pusan, South Korea, until the armistice. He said that was nerve-racking to wait for.
“Here we thought we were going to get home at one time, and it was delayed, and another time we thought we were going to go home then, but it didn’t go off; it just kept getting delayed,” Usiak said.
The 90-year old is a resident at Belmont Village in Carol Stream, where he and other vets are being honored with a photo display and special breakfast on Thursday.
Belmont Village Executive Director Jeanne Hansen told WBBM Newsradio that Usiak and others served in war for love of country.
“They enlisted. Many of them did not wait to be drafted. They lied about their age. They made themselves older than they are, so that they could serve,” Hansen said.
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