NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Applause erupted in Nashville International Airport Wednesday afternoon as 16 World War II veterans made their way down the terminal.

The veterans, alongside high schoolers from Clarksville, are headed to The National Word War II Museum in New Orleans.

"[It was] a very rewarding and fulfilling career, and I would do every minute of it over again," expressed WWII Veteran Joseph Peterburs.

Peterburs, 100, served for 36 years in the U.S. Army Air Corps and then the United States Air Force. He is a WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War veteran.

"All I know is that I am feeling good and looking forward to the next 100 years," Peterburs told News 2.

Before the age of 21, Peterburs flew 49 missions over Germany in WWII, became a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down, but escaped. He then joined the Russian tank unit in Berlin, Germany, and was later rescued by American troops.

Peterburs later returned home to marry the love of his life.

"Then I flew 76 missions, combat missions in Korea in the P51 Mustang, and then later I went into command and control, and I served in Vietnam," Peterburs continued.

On Wednesday, Peterburs and 15 other WWII veterans flew together to The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, which was paid for by The Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) and American Airlines.

"I think I'm the only Air Force in this group, but I feel a bond with them," Peterburs said.

Joining the veterans on the flight are 20 Clarksville students from Rossview High School.

"We wanted to expose these children to an opportunity that they are not going to get in school, traveling to a World War II museum with somebody who actually lived through that experience is unlike anything you can get," founder of the Sinise Foundation, Gary Sinise, told News 2.

For the students, this trip is a lesson in sacrifice, resilience, and courage.

"The children that are with them are going to be impacted greatly, not only by, you know, what they learn about during World War II and what they did, all these gentlemen did when they were just teenagers, but you know how they have lived their lives," Sinise expressed.

Peterburs' advice for high schoolers is to never give up.

"What I used to tell my troops and what I believed in is if you have a goal in life, you do the best you can at it," Peterburs said. "Don't let fear or apprehension do it, just keep your eye on the ball and get the job done."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/wwii-veterans-honored-in-special-heroes-send-off-at-nashville-international-airport/