Northern Connection magazine is proud to salute the men and women from the North Hills area who are serving in the military.

July 2008: Veterans Visit the National World War II Memorial… and receive an experience that will be forever etched into their memories

By Paula Green

Recently, Charles Ott, a local illustrator from Baden, completed an illustration of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.  “It was after seeing Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers that I gained a true understanding of just what these veterans had to endure, and that inspired me to create this latest illustration.  Ironically, two days after I completed it, I saw a story on the news about two local businessmen, Dan Cavanaugh and Jim Hilts who organize World War II Bus Trips for veterans,” Ott said.

Cavanaugh’s father served in the 3rd Army, 6th Infantry Division in WWII.  Hilts is a Vietnam veteran.  He is the founder of the Get the Vets to D.C. bus tours, which is a group that transports local veterans to our nation’s capitol.

“I contacted Mr. Cavanaugh to see how I could present each veteran with a print of the National World War II Memorial to coincide with their trip. 
I wanted the veterans to have something special that they could display in their homes when they returned and eventually pass on to their children and grandchildren.  Mr. Cavanaugh was thrilled with the idea and invited me to join them on their June 3rd visit to D.C.,” Ott said.

“Thanks to the organizers and the volunteers, including Don Plagman of McCandless Twp., who took care of the veterans during our visit, our trip was successful. 

“From the Marines who fought in the Pacific, to soldiers who trudged through knee-deep snow at the Battle of the Bulge, to airmen who flew bombing missions over Germany, to Seabees they gathered, all 60 of them.  They came from all over the tri-state area.  They were Pittsburghers, but more importantly, they were Americans of the ‘greatest generation’ and it was their day.

“When we arrived in D.C., we were met by a group of young Marines.  They saluted and shook each veteran’s hand as they departed the bus.  The memorial was beautiful and its creation and grandeur is an architectural masterpiece.

“In addition to viewing the World War II Memorial, the group also toured the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials.  One veteran who accompanied us on the trip had a special reason for visiting this memorial: the name of his son is etched on the Vietnam War Memorial.

“At the end of the trip, I presented each veteran with the World War II Memorial illustration that I had created.  I received tearful expressions of gratitude from both the veterans and their wives.  We cannot forget those sacrifices of so many which is why this trip was so meaningful,” Ott said.

To view Charles Ott’s World War II Memorial print and all of his other illustrations, visit his website at http://steelcityartist.com.  For more information on Get the Vets to D.C. bus tours, call (412) 206-0097 ext. 22 or visit www.ourwwiiveterans.com.

Northern Connection magazine thanks Charles Ott, Dan Cavanaugh and Jim Hilts for their support of our local veterans.

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