TEMPLE – Bob Friberg has been packing his bags for the last three weeks.
“I’ll be getting pretty nervous next week at this time. I’ve already packed five different times, wondering what it will be like,” he said.
Friberg is a 92-year-old Wold War II veteran. He lives in Temple with his wife Lu who he’s been married to anywhere from 60 to 65 years, depending on the day.
“I say a different number every time,” he laughs.
His trip next week will take him to Washington D.C. where he will participate in an Honor Flight event: an all-expense paid visit to see the memorials from the war. Friberg served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 in the latter years of the war. Stationed in what is now recognized as Alaska, Friberg recalls the time as exciting. He was 17 when he enlisted, stepping up to volunteer before being drafted at 18.
“It was all war. We didn’t think about it every minute of every day, but whenever the boys got together it was what we talked about. It was exciting to think we were going to be like all the other guys going over seas. I wanted to drive a P-40, be a big pilot. But I never got into that. They gave me two choices – the Navy or the Navy. So I chose the Navy.”
After being discharged, Friberg went on to get a college degree in physical education and coaching. He and Lu had seven children and eventually wound up in Franklin County where Friberg coached and taught gym class for 25 years. Sharon, Friberg’s third daughter, initiated the idea of the Honor Flight.
“I guess she’s been pretty anxious to have me honored,” he said.
Sharon and another daughter, Laurie, will be accompanying their father on the trip. Friberg said he wouldn’t be able to do it without the help of his daughters, but he is looking forward to seeing the memorials again. He and his wife took a trip to see them after they got married in 1949, which would make this anniversary number 70.
“I’m not as excited as I am interested. There will be 24 other vets and I’m wondering what they’re looking like now and what they’re feeling like,” Friberg said.
One of Friberg’s favorite local spots, Aubuchon Hardware on Wilton Road, will be collecting thank you cards to honor their long time customer. The cards will be given to Friberg on the flight home as part of the Honor Flight’s Mail Call.
What a great sense of humor, I only hope I’m as sharp as you when I’m in my 90s.Thank you for your service sir I hope your trip is a great one.
Thank you Mr. Friberg for serving and for teaching us kids. Kudos to you have a fantastic trip.
Thank you for your service, all these years later it is still appreciated by many! I hope you enjoy every moment of the trip!
I hope you find your trip interesting and memorable. Thank you for all you have done for us!!
Thank you for your service and all you have accomplished! Have a wonderful trip and safe travels.
This is wonderful Mr. Friberg, so happy you will get to go on this trip. Thank you for your years of service to
our country and all us students!
God bless you and your family,
Carol
Congratulations Robert Friberg. Have a great time. Buy some postcards and lots of photos.
..Thanks to another ‘Brother In Arms’ Have a very enjoyable trip..
What a fantastic trip to take. I have often wondered if you were still here with us, I was just telling someone the other day how you taught us at Farmington Falls school how to square dance when we were little. I hope you meet some of your buddies there. Have a safe and happy flight.
Did my trip last year. A great experience. A highlight of my later years
Dear Bob,
So excited for you to receive this honor. Thank you for your service to our country, state, and town. Will love to hear all about it. Have a blast. Seize the Day!
With Love,
Ruth
I am also on the flight next week hope to shake your hand and thank you for your service. Gene shaffet phd
Bob and Laurie, what a great trip you are going to have! I am so pleased that Bob will get to see memorials in DC which had not even been planned when he and Lou were there last, Terrific!
Here’s to a great time for all of you, including Gene Shaffer and all the other vets.
This is awesome I’m so glad for you. Enjoy your trip and a big THANK YOU for your service.