Wesley Towers
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In late December, through the Kansas Honor Flight, Wesley Towers learned that American Airlines is hosting a once in a lifetime opportunity for a select group of WWII veterans by taking them to Normandy, France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in June 1944.
Wesley Towers own WWII Veteran, Olen Mitchell will be going. Contact was made with his family as who might be available to travel with him. A great nephew, Jordan Mitchell, who lives in Malibu, CA said he would be most honored to accompany Uncle Olen on this extraordinary trip.
Mitchell will be traveling to France on a chartered Boeing 787 aircraft from Dallas-Ft. Worth to Paris for two nights then a bus ride to the Normandy region where they will honor those who have served and sacrificed as part of the Greatest Generation.
This will be a 9-day trip May 30 through June 7.
Only approximately 150 WWII veterans were selected from across the U.S.
Priority was given to those that participated in the D-Day Invasion and those who served in the European Theater.
Mitchell served in the European Theater in the U. S. Army 337th Infantry Regiment in Italy-Rome ARNO-GO33 War Dept. He later served in the 1763rd Service Command.
On May 23, 1944, Olen Mitchell was wounded in combat by being hit by a bullet in the jaw and mouth. He spent 9 months in the hospital undergoing numerous reconstructive surgeries. Mitchell was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground combat, the European Theater ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Olen lives alone in his Wesley Towers Apartment, drives his car where he wants to go and is 102 years old.
Wesley Towers will be hosting a special event to honor Olen Mitchell prior to his trip on May 29 at 4 p.m. at Wesley Towers at 700 Monterey Place in Hutchinson. The public is encouraged to attend and send Olen off with gratitude.
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