Veteran Siblings Reunite At Garden Plaza At Cleveland

On Aug. 11, a local senior and veteran got a surprise visit from his 97-year-old sister, also a veteran.

Robert “Bob” Hall is a 95-year-old resident at The Bridge at Garden Plaza at Cleveland, an assisted living center. His sister, Lucille “Lu” Johnson, lives in Muskegon, Mi. Although they talk on the phone every day, the two siblings have not had the chance to visit in person since Hall’s 90th birthday party, due to health issues.

Ms. Johnson’s son and daughter-in-law, Leland and Karen Johnson, felt that it would do their mother and uncle good to get together, so they arranged with nonprofit Aviation Angels of Hope to fly with Ms. Johnson directly from Michigan to Tennessee. Arriving Thursday, the family was able to visit with Mr. Hall until flying back on Monday, Aug. 15.

“I was very surprised,” said Mr. Hall.

“We’ve been separated a lot,” said Ms. Johnson. “He’s done so many things and lived in so many places.”

During the visit, Mr. Hall and Ms. Johnson reminisced about some of those many places and the adventures they have both had. They were two of six children, five boys and one girl, and when World War II broke out, all the siblings went into the military in one way or another.

In 1939, before the U.S. entered the war, Mr. Hall saw a uniform hanging up in a window and was inspired to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He became part of the Royal Air Force the next year in England, and then the United States Army Air Corps when America joined the fight. He became a flying ace, sometimes engaging in air battles and other times delivering fuel.

Ms. Johnson wanted to do her part to serve her country too. She joined the Women’s Army Corps and was soon stationed in London, working for General Dwight Eisenhower’s organization, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. And although she didn’t work for Eisenhower directly, she would see him in the building from time to time.

Mr. Hall continued flying missions, and he is credited with shooting down 11 Nazi aircraft. His most pivotal role in the war came on June 6, 1944.

“When we were preparing for the invasion, I was flying a C-47 with tanks of fuel,” Mr. Hall remembered. “We flew to England, unloaded the fuel and picked up paratroopers. I dropped the paratroopers in the invasion of Normandy.” 

With the victory of D-Day, the SHAEF transferred to Versailles, France, and Ms. Johnson went along. To this day, she remembers Paris as her favorite place she’s been. 

“Paris wasn’t like usual in the middle of the war,” Ms. Johnson said, “but it was still wonderful. I used to take my day off from work and go shopping.”

Shopping in Paris was not as good as the chance to see Mr. Hall, though. He flew his C-47 to Versailles and met up with her, the first time they’d seen each other since he had left for war. They had their photo taken while dressed in their uniforms.

After World War II, Mr. Hall and Ms. Johnson returned to the United States. Ms. Johnson got married and started a family, and Mr. Hall had a very varied career. He returned to the skies for his country again during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. On the civilian side, he flew children to Shriner’s Hospital in helicopters and played in a professional hockey league. He played sandlot baseball for a while, during which time he met Mickey Mantle before the sports star was famous (Mr. Mantle even borrowed his glove). Golf was a hobby he continued for many years as well, and he still has his clubs.

Mr. Hall eventually settled down and married Ruth Williams, who he remained devoted to until her passing this spring.

Having been through so much and done so much, Mr. Hall doesn’t take his blessings for granted. He stays close to his children, and the visit from Ms. Johnson meant something very special to him.

“It was wonderful, just wonderful,” Mr. Hall said.

Garden Plaza at Cleveland is located at 3500 Keith St. For more information, call 423-479-4447.