2 Naples veterans reflect on service while preparing for Honor Flight

Victor “Pete” Bethge, left. Howard Simon, right.

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—Two Naples veterans, both over 90 years old, will take an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Saturday morning.

Howard Simon, 91, and Victor Bethge, who goes by Pete and is 94, served in different military branches during peacetime. Simon was in the Army, training as an infantry officer in Fort Benning, Georgia, and ended up as a purchasing and contracting officer.

He said he always knew he wanted to serve and is looking forward to this weekend.

“I feel a little guilty in that, you know, when I served there was no war. But, uh, I served,” Simon said. “And going on the honor flight, I’m looking forward to the experience.”

Pete joined the Naval Reserves when he was in college and ended up enlisting at 21. He trained in Treasure Island, California, which he said is still one of the coolest places he’s ever been.

His service started just after the Korean War, where he spent most of his time building tugs and barges for the U.S. Navy. He said the lessons he learned were ones he carried for a lifetime.

“My serving was an honor, and it was good for our lives. We learned a lot while we were in the service, and appreciated our time,” Bethge said.

Both men mentioned how they never went into combat, which almost filled them with guilt. But being around them, you can certainly tell their mentality is an attitude of service and devotion to this country.

The veterans will take off from the Naples Airport, fly to Washington D.C., and return home in just one day. Both men said they couldn’t be more excited.