Beyond The Call

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Honoring those who answered the call. Lest we forget!

10/15/2026

It was a special weekend for our team as we headed out to Silver City to spend time with our longtime friend, Korean War veteran and cowboy, Chuck Wenzel. 🤠🇺🇸

Chuck served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation structural mechanic, working on the top-secret Operation Plumbbob, a series of nuclear weapons tests conducted in Nevada. His service to our country continued long after the Navy, as he went on to serve his community as a firefighter and was part of the security detail for President Ronald Reagan’s visits to New Mexico.

Chuck was also the best friend of the late Dan McBride, a 101st Airborne D-Day veteran. The two were inseparable, sharing a friendship that spanned more than 20 years.

While in Silver City, we also stopped by American Legion Post 18, where Chuck previously served as commander, and caught up with our dear friend, U.S. Marine Corps veteran John Sterle, and the post’s new commander, U.S. Navy veteran Joe Drake.

We’re grateful for weekends like these and the opportunity to spend time with heroes like Chuck. ❤️🇺🇸

The Korean War is often called the Forgotten War, but the veterans who served deserve to be remembered. Their stories matter, and we’re honored to help ensure they are never forgotten. 🇺🇸

09/23/2026

Some say never meet your heroes. We have to disagree! Especially when you know a man like Jimmy Bass. ❤️🇺🇸

We recently had the honor of spending time with WWII veteran Jimmy Bass as part of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum’s Veterans Oral History Project, a project we’re incredibly proud to partner on and support.

He served aboard the USS Harding, which was struck by a kamikaze during the Battle of Okinawa. At 99, he still volunteers at the Veterans Memorial Museum, which he co-founded.

But Jimmy’s story goes far beyond his service. His love for his country, his family, and his fellow man is evident in everything he does. Despite all he experienced during the war, Jimmy carries no anger toward those who were once his enemies. Instead, he speaks about choosing love, forgiveness, and compassion, and encourages others to live their lives in that same spirit.

For decades, Jimmy has also carried the memory of the men he served alongside, determined to make sure those who never made it home are never forgotten.

That kind of character is rare. We feel incredibly fortunate to know Jimmy, hear his story, and help preserve it for generations to come. 🇺🇸

09/02/2026

Today, on V-J Day, we commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II and honor the men and women who served, sacrificed, and helped bring the war to an end.

We recently had the incredible honor of interviewing Freeman Johnson, one of the last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors. On December 7, 1941, Freeman was aboard USS St. Louis at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attack changed his life and the course of history.

Nearly four years later, on September 2, 1945, he was on the USS Iowa in Tokyo Bay as the Japanese surrender was formally signed aboard USS Missouri.

Freeman witnessed the beginning of America’s war in the Pacific and was there when it finally came to an end.

We are so grateful that Freeman shared his story with us, so that generations to come can hear it from someone who was there and better understand why it’s so important that we never forget.

Today, we are thinking of Freeman and all the men and women who stepped forward when their country and the world needed them most, fought to defeat tyranny, and helped preserve the freedoms we have today.

Their stories are not just history.

They are our responsibility to remember and carry forward. 🇺🇸 ❤️

08/27/2026

Hawaiʻi has lost a national treasure. ❤️ 🇺🇸

We are sad to share the news of the passing of our friend and Hawaiʻi local hero, WWII Veteran Arthur Shak. His loss will be felt by so many.

During World War II, Arthur served as a Navigator with the U.S. Army Air Corps’ 15th Air Force, completing an extraordinary 51 combat missions between March and August 1944. His missions took him across Germany, Italy, France, Belgrade, Romania, and throughout the North African and Mediterranean theaters of operations.

For his extraordinary achievements in aerial combat, Arthur was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, along with the Air Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and numerous other decorations and citations.

But for those fortunate enough to know Arthur, his legacy was about more than his remarkable military service.

He always greeted everyone with a smile.

That smile, his kindness, and his willingness to share his stories made him someone you simply did not forget. He was a living connection to history, a hero, and a wonderful friend.

Beyond The Call and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum were fortunate to have the absolute joy and honor of knowing Arthur and his family. We are incredibly grateful for the time we shared with him and for the stories, smiles, and memories he gave us.

We are sending our love and deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.

Rest easy, Art.
Your watch is over. We will remember you. ❤️ 🇺🇸

07/06/2026

As part of the America 250th celebration here in Hawaii, we were honored to welcome WWII veteran and B-17 pilot Captain Dick Nelms for his first-ever visit to Pearl Harbor.

Throughout the weekend, Dick shared his remarkable story during multiple storytelling sessions, connecting with hundreds of people through firsthand accounts of his service during World War II. More than 80 years after the war, his voice continues to educate, inspire, and remind us why preserving these stories matters.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to listen, ask questions, and honor Dick. Every conversation helped ensure his remarkable legacy will continue to live on.

What a beautiful weekend celebrating our nation and the men and women who have served it so well! 🇺🇸

07/05/2026

When tasked with presenting a 250th Anniversary of America flag from Black R***e Coffee Company and Allegiance to someone who exemplifies patriotism and embodies the American spirit, we knew exactly who it should go to.

WWII combat veteran and B-17 pilot Dick Nelms not only served his country more than 80 years ago, helping liberate Nazi-occupied Europe, but at 103 years old, he continues to serve today as a volunteer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle.

This week, Dick joined us at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, sharing his story from the very place where the war began for the United States and reminding us that freedom has never come without sacrifice.

As we celebrate our nation today, we also celebrate the men and women who answered the call to defend it and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

Happy Birthday, America. 🇺🇸

And thank you, Dick Nelms. You remind all of us what it means to be an American, and you make us proud to call this country home.

***eCoffee

06/29/2026

Join us this Saturday as we celebrate America’s 250th with a special opportunity to meet American hero and aviation legend, 103-year-old WWII B-17 pilot Dick Nelms.

Hear firsthand what it was like to fly combat missions over Europe with the 8th Air Force during World War II from someone who lived it.

📍 Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
🕥 Storytelling & Q&A Sessions: 10:30 AM & 11:30 AM (Hangar 37)

Dick’s visit is part of the museum’s Independence Day festivities. As the official host of Hawai’i’s America250 Commemoration Ceremony, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum invites visitors to spend the day celebrating this milestone anniversary and honoring the generations who have helped shape our nation.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🇺🇸

06/15/2026

This weekend, we had the absolute honor of interviewing trailblazer and aviation legend Nell “Mickey” Bright, the last living WASP pilot from WW2.

Our team was proud to represent Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and support the mission of preserving Nell’s incredible story. Her legacy is sure to inspire future generations and encourage aspiring aviators to pursue their dreams.

Keep ’em flying!

Nell, you are a true American hero and legend whose courage and perseverance helped pave the way for women and future leaders in aviation. 🇺🇸✈️

06/09/2026

This weekend was a special one for our heroes as we gathered in Las Vegas for the Day of Gratitude, hosted by , commemorating the 82nd anniversary of D-Day while celebrating heroes of all generations with a meaningful day of community, friendship, and gratitude.

Our VP of Beyond The Call, Elizabeth Suter, was pulling double duty all weekend, not only volunteering to help care for our WWII veterans, but also leading the entire production effort for a one-hour documentary special through the tv network she works for. The program will air this November and will feature WWII Veteran Don Graves.

This was our first time attending the event, and every detail was thoughtfully centered around our WWII veterans. One of the highlights was watching our heroes, Don Graves and Tony Pagano, rock out with and perform for the crowd!

A special thank you to our dear friend , who served as Don Graves’ guardian throughout the weekend. Kelly generously volunteers her time with numerous veteran organizations, helping make experiences like this possible for our nation’s heroes.

We’re grateful to CityServe Network and everyone who helped make this weekend possible! 🇺🇸 ❤️

06/01/2026

Just one year ago, we met Chuck and Aaron Powell from Kansas Honor Flight during one of our volunteer days with WWII Veteran John Gleeson at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

As many of you know, John was a dedicated volunteer right up until two weeks before he passed.

Through the museum, we met John. Through John, we met Chuck and Aaron. Through Chuck and Aaron, we met WWII veteran Eli Hernandez. And through Liberty Jump Team, Eli is back in Normandy this week for the 82nd Anniversary, returning to the place where he served with the 3rd Infantry Division.

Watching Eli enjoy this experience is a reminder of how much good can happen when people come together for a common purpose.

One connection leads to another, and before you know it, you’re witnessing the impact of countless people simply showing up for one another in support of these heroes.

“There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.” - Jimmy Doolittle ❤️🇺🇸

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Honolulu, HI

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https://www.wwiibeyondthecall.com/

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