May 27: Visitors stand at the archway memorializing the Pacific theater of fighting at the World War II Memorial in Washington.
NEW BALTIMORE, Ohio — Charles Butke looks at an old photo of his Army buddies. F. Harley Clark inspects the rifle he used when he fought on Guadalcanal. And James Derexson worries about coping with painful memories.
Nearly 60 years after their fighting ended, the World War II veterans (search) are traveling to Washington, D.C., for Saturday's dedication of the National World War II Memorial (search).
Derexson, who took part in the D-Day (search) invasion, said the memorial is "long overdue." He said that at his age — 81 — it may be the final war-related trip he makes.
"It will probably be my last journey, and I want to pay my respects," he said.
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