World War II memorial trip

Marion “Wilk” Lee won’t let his memories of World War II fall by the wayside.

During the past 61 years, the 86-year-old has protected many pictures from the war and also encased more than three medals he earned while serving as a U.S. Army private first class in Germany during World War II.

But there’s one reward he can’t hang on the wall.

He has to see it in person and not on a TV screen — the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

And now, the former expert rifleman has an opportunity to not only see the commemorative structure but a chance to share his stories and experiences with some Permian, Odessa High and Ector County Youth Center students.

Ector County probation officer Shirley Rutledge and Sheri Lord, an administrative assistant in the Ector County Attorney’s office, have developed a grassroots campaign to have any World War II veteran living in or related to someone in the Permian Basin travel for a day to the World War II Memorial.

Rutledge said she got the idea from a CBS Sunday Morning segment where a businessman in North Carolina spearheaded a campaign to take World War II veterans from across the country to the memorial.

Rutledge said the trip will be made on a chartered plane and the total cost of the trip will be around $60,000. However, the group needs help with fund-raising.

The cost covers travel and lunch for students, adult sponsors and the veterans. Veterans don’t incur any costs for the trip, Rutledge said.

It’s planned for Rutledge and Lord to take more than one group of veterans to the memorial. On each trip, it’s scheduled for 20 students to attend and about 160 veterans and a handful of adult sponsors, Rutledge said.

The students involved will help with fund-raising, and they’ll benefit from the experience of going to the memorial by feeling like they’re a part of the community, she said.

The students will interview veterans who participate in the trip and the students will later write a paper on their experiences for a grade, Rutledge said. But it’s the stories to be told that make the difference, Lord said.

“We want the students to have that one-on-one history and not just from a book,” Lord said.

Lee plans to help provide that experience.

The veteran served in Germany during World War II as an expert rifleman until 1946 when he was honorably discharged.

At one point, he was one of 17 people in his infantry to make it back across enemy lines, Lee said.

Lee said he wants to see the memorial because it reminds him of his time in World War II, and he plans to give some advice to students.

“We had it pretty rough (in World War II), but you can make something of your life,” he said.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL TRIP

>> What: Youth volunteers (students from Permian, Odessa High and the Ector County Youth Center) will honor World War II veterans by taking them to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial.

>> When: The first trip is planned for May 5.

>> How: Veterans are encouraged to contact Veterans Services at 498-4015 if wanting to participate.

>> Cost: Free to all World War II veterans. Sponsors and students must pay.

>> Fund-raising: If wanting to donate to the trip, call Shirley Rutledge at 362-6356.