Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FILLMORE — For Keith Robison, service means family. Robison served in the military along with his three brothers and his father. Both grandfathers served in World War II and a great-grandfather all served in World War I.
"I've always been proud of my dad and my grandpas," Robison said.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2000 and was going through basic training when the terrorist attacks happened on September 11th.
"After it happened," he said of the attacks, "we knew that things weren't going to be the same when we went home."
Robison served in Iraq and compares his experience of returning home to the stories his father, Dennis, told him of his return from Vietnam.
"I remember it was just after 9-11," Robison said, "and walking through the airports, I had people walking up and hugging me and shaking my hand and just thanking me."
It was a different scene when Dennis returned.
"The first thing they had to do is change his clothes into civilian clothes and sneak through the airport past the protestors," Robinson said.
Despite the negativity surrounding his return, Dennis Robison said he wouldn't take back one second of his time serving. The stories from his own father, Floyd Robison, stayed with him.
"Just growing up and listening to my dad and that generation is what we called ‘The Greatest Generation,' " Dennis Robison said. "I have always felt the patriotism in our home. I've always wanted to be participating in that."
Floyd Robison said he signed up to serve his country in World War II because it was what he was supposed to do.
Now the three of them have the opportunity of a lifetime. Friday, Floyd, Dennis and Keith will all board an Honor Flight plane headed to Washington DC, giving them a chance to visit the memorials dedicated to their service.
"I'm glad for Grandpa," Keith said. "He gets to go back with probably a lot of guys he grew up with and his brother. It will be neat for them to go back there."
Floyd Robison is also excited about the trip.
"I didn't think I'd ever get back there. But now that I have the chance, I'm kind of a little excited to maybe seeing what I want to see."
Dennis knows that even though his aging father struggles with sight, just being at the monuments is what matters most.
"The feeling I think when he gets there — the stuff that he won't be able to see, he'll feel. He'll feel those feelings in the memorial."
