One of Joe Burgess' favorite memories of his trip to the National World War II Memorial was an engraving behind each of its two golden gates.

Its message -- "Kilroy was here" -- commemorated the popular expression from the years that Burgess and his fellow World War II veterans served their country. Those who served in the European Theater know the distinctive doodle of Kilroy peeking over a wall.

"I felt the entire memorial was great, but this was a special recognition of the G.I. Joe's part in this great victory," said Burgess, 88, Noblesville.

Burgess was among 16 World War II veterans from Hamilton County who flew in September to the nation's capital to see the memorial. The Honor Flight program allows World War II veterans to see the memorial, which opened to the public in 2004.

Ron Wilson, co-founder of the Hamilton County Veterans Organization, said he's organizing efforts for another Honor Flight in April.

(More at Noblesville Ledger.com)

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