Boston WWII veteran returns from trip to Pearl Harbor with precious memories

HONOLULU, HAWAII — A World War II veteran from South Boston is back home after the trip of a lifetime.

Ed Hamilton’s family and friends raised money to send him to the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Hamilton, who is 91, certainly leaves an impression, so FOX25 decided to tag along on his trip and gave the Hamilton family a camera to record their special moments on the journey.

Wearing his hat and trademark suspenders, Hamilton was set off on his journey.

The crew on his flight to Honolulu was the first of many to recognize Hamilton for his time on the USS Bennett, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

Hamilton wanted to make the trip because at 91, he knew it might be his last.

From lighting the Christmas tree at his hotel to helping lead the Pearl Harbor Memorial parade, Hamilton was a celebrity. He was honored at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 and dropped flower pedals to remember those who never made it off the ship.

Along the way, Hamilton swapped stories with fellow veterans, like Chick Galella, who was on Hamilton's ship, waiting to storm the beaches of Okinawa. It was a friendship forged in battle and rekindled in Hawaii, more than seven decades later.

But of all the people he met, Dominik had his heart.

The 9-year-old and the 91-year-old first became pen pals and it was Hamilton’s inspiration for the trip – to share his war stories with Dominik and his fourth grade class in person.

The most precious moments of the trip, he said, were spent at dinner with Dominik and just watching TV.

Sometimes, even heroes need a moment to rest.

Hamilton’s grandson, who also went to Hawaii, happened to be a ferry boat captain who helped save the passenger's on the Hudson when flight 1549 went down.

The GoFundMe account raised enough money to cover the trip.

>>South Boston WWII veteran hoping to visit Pearl Harbor on 75th anniversary

Cox Media Group