By Jessica Honigford
Community Post
Richard Brackman will be going on the trip of a lifetime on Sept. 10.

The 86-year-old Maria Stein native will be participating in a World War II Honor Flight from the Wright Patterson Airport to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII memorial.
Honor Flight was created in 2005 after it became apparent that most WWII veterans wouldn't be able to visit the WWII memorial, completed in 2004, due to physical and financial barriers.  Honor Flight allows veterans of WWII to visit the memorial each year at no cost to them.  Richard's flight is paid in full by the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Lebanon, Ohio.
Richard's wife Barb says he still can't really believe he's going.
Richard served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1943 in the European theater.
He drove tank through the Rhineland in Germany, as a draftee to the military.
Barb says he was and still is very proud that he served his country.
“He's very proud,” she said. “He has his veteran's hat that says 'I serve with pride'.  That has been his motto every since I've known him.”
The couple have been married for 21 years, and Barb says her marriage to Richard is what made her more aware of what happened during WWII.
“My father was killed in WWII,” Barb said.  “I didn't really know anything about WWII other than my dad died and what I learned in school but you learn more after school. It was all the more important after I did meet Richard and I've been married to him and see the pride he had.”
One of Richard's two brothers also served during WWII in the Pacific theater.
The couple still has Richard's jacket from the army, his medals, honorable discharge papers and even the telegram “that said you are invited to WWII,” Barb said.
Richard has been a resident at Heritage Manor in Minster since May, but Barb says that won't hinder his ability to go.  “They will have all the assistance he needs. Nurses and doctors available ,wheel chairs,” she said. “All we have to do is get him there.”
It has been a long wait for the Brackmans.  They sent in Richard's application for Honor Flight almost a year ago.  “I never thought he'd get to see the WWII Memorial,” Barb said.
Richard's stepson will likely be going on the day-long trip as his guardian.  Barb is still waiting to see if she will be able to go along too.
“He's looking forward to seeing the WWII memorial, what he fought for.”