Al and Fran made a very special Honor Flight to Wash., D.C. in early Oct. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. They have such good memories and photos from the adventure.
The following story appeared in the Nov. 23 News-Times newspaper, Newport, OR:
Prestigious pilgrimage
by: Terry Dillman
(photo caption) World War II veteran Al Westphal of Toledo gets a well-earned “thank you” from an unknown visitor to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Westphal and his wife Fran recently took the trip to D.C. courtesy of the nonprofit Honor Flight of Oregon. They joined 26 other veterans and 23 other “guardians” on the journey in early October. This section of the memorial features 4,000 sculpted gold stars - one star for each 100 Americans killed in combat during the “war to end all wars.” (Photo courtesy of Fran Westphal)
Toledo veteran takes ‘Honor Flight’ to World War II Memorial
Al Westphal of Toledo served in the U.S. Navy aboard the light cruiser U.S.S. Montpelier (CL-57) during World War II.
According to naval records, the “Mighty Monty” took part in the first Allied offensive of the war in the Pacific, became the first to engage in night battles, and participated in 26 invasions, 42 operations and 30 campaigns, logging nearly 250,000 nautical miles. Westphal and his shipmates earned 13 battle stars for their service in all major engagements of the Pacific theatre.
But for the venerable 91-year-old veteran, the experience of a recent 2,600-mile 
sojourn to Washington, D.C. became what he considers “the trip of a lifetime.” He joined 26 other World War II veterans, along with 24 volunteer “guardians” (support personnel in military terms, usually family members), including Westphal’s wife Fran. They went primarily to visit the World War II Memorial, built near the Lincoln Memorial in 2004 to honor the service and sacrifices of what has become known as the “Greatest Generation.
Westphal and his fellow veterans made their journey courtesy of the nonprofit Honor Flight of Oregon (HFO) headquartered in Grants Pass.It, in turn, is one of four state hubs, for the nationwide Honor Flight Network that took wing in Ohio in 2005 to underwrite trips for World War II veterans to the memorial that honors their contributions to the nation’s history and freedoms – before it’s too late.
Although Westphal and others survived the vagaries of a war that HFO leaders say “truly threatened our very existence as a nation, and as a culturally diverse, free society,” they are inevitably losing to an inexorable foe: time. According to the Department 
of veterans Affairs, the youngest World War II veteran is more than 80 years old, and within the next decade, most of them will be gone, ultimately joining the 400,000 who died in the war more than six decades ago.
Honor Flight, which quickly gained momentum and now has 71 hubs in 30 states, accepts applications from veterans wanting to make the trip to C.C., giving top priority to those who served in World War II.
But, despite their dwindling ranks, veterans often end up on a waiting list, because Honor Flight lacks government support, depending mainly on veteran service organizations and public donations, along with a growing number of corporate sponsors, Gail Yakopatz, who heads up HFO, said they get some corporate support, but much of their funding derives from small businesses.
“Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out,” she said, noting that additional public support from groups or individuals is needed to help make the visit a reality for all remaining World War II veterans.
Westphal said he appreciated the expressions of gratitude he and his fellow veterans received from school children and other folks at the memorial and along the way. Fran said dozens of folks thanked the veterans for their service, gathering “to shake their hands, applaud them and wave flags and provide honor guards” in airports and other venues.
To learn more or make a contribution, contact HFO at 541-955-4544, honorWorldWarIIvets@gmail.com or go online to www.honorflightoforegon.org.
Lighthouse Inspector
Although not as agile as he once was, Al also was once again able to make his lighthouse inspection at Cleft of the Rock, near Yachats. When he isn’t at home, he uses a walker most times. Yet, he climbs the ladder to check out the light at the top of the lighthouse on his annual visit.
Truly a remarkable man, former square dance caller,Al still visits square dances whenever possible, always with a wide smile on his face. Next time you see him at a dance, take a few minutes to visit and discover all that this fascinating man has to share.
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