Benton man travels back 60 years as part of Honor Flight

For one World War II veteran, the opportunity to join last week's inaugural Honor Flight from Veterans Airport in Williamson County opened the floodgates of memory.
Ninety-year-old William Thomas of Benton was drafted into the Army just after his graduation from Benton High School.
"I didn't see battle," Thomas said, "but I saw a lot of administration stuff."
Thomas said he boarded a train in Benton and traveled to Fort Sheridan. From there, military authorities determined where each inductee would go.
"Not bragging," Thomas said, "but us young ones who were smart, about 20 of us, were sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison to learn how to use the records of returning soldiers."
Thomas said he worked in a room "like a large gymnasium, filled with rows upon rows of tables." It was his duty to assess the military records of those returning from battle to determine their eligibility for benefits.
Thomas believes he likely got that job because of his previous civilian work. Thomas began working at the Benton Evening News as a carrier when he was in the sixth grade. By the time he was in high school, he was put in charge of the Benton High School newspaper, The Echo.
"I was in charge of managing the two editors at the Echo," he said, "probably because by that time I was working half a day at the Benton Evening News and then going to school for the other half."
Thomas said that "back in those days, they gave you a sheet, sometimes handwritten" and you decided what would be published. "Everyone wanted to know what was in the keyhole, you, know, gossip, like who's dating who."
Once Thomas' administration duties ended, he became what he described as "an errand boy," helping the medical staff care for the needs of the returning soldiers. "I got to carry a lot of stool samples to the nurse," he said.
When Thomas was finally sent to basic training in Texas, he said that he, like the other young recruits, endured the traditional "rough treatment" by the sergeants. Part of his duties there included patrolling the streets to ensure there were no soldiers breaking the 10 p.m. curfew.
"Here I was out patrolling and if I saw someone, I was supposed to holler 'stop, who goes there?'" he laughed. "Them old-timers didn't like that."
Thomas said he served two years before returning to Benton, where he eventually married, had two sons and opened his own business, Thomas Printing, which is still in operation today.
"I'm retired now and both of my boys are at my beck and call any time I need them," he said. Thomas' son, Allan, accompanied him on the Honor Flight as his caretaker. His other son, Mike, was pleased his father was able to grab the opportunity to join the Honor Flight.
"I think it's great," he said. "I don't think he would have gone to Washington, D.C. any other way than this trip. This is a great program."
As for Thomas, he said that being included and preparing for the trip opened the floodgates of his memory.
"I had forgotten these experiences for 60 years," he said. "Now that I've been chosen, I've perked up. My mind has been good."