Anzio Beachhead veterans

Kenneth Muston, an Anzio Beachhead Invasion veteran poses for a photo in the loadmaster seat on a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. More than 20 veterans from the event were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. Muston, who is 91-years-old was a private first class from B Company 3rd Infantry Division. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Joe Salonia, an Anzio Beachhead Invasion veteran poses for a photo in front of a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. More than 20 veterans from the event were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. Salonia was a private of the 361st Regiment 91st Division. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Carl Furtado and Jack Oliver grin in front of a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. More than 20 Anzio veterans were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. Furtado is 95-years-old and was a member of the 36th Combat Engineer 6th Company. Oliver is 94-years-old and was a member of an amphibious assault ship Landing Ship Medium 488. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans . (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Veterans from the 1944 Anzio Beachhead Invasion stand inside the belly of a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. The veterans were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans . (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Veterans of the Anzio Beachhead Invasion of 1944, attend a police week retreat ceremony, May 15, 2015, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. The veterans were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans . (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Joe Sachen, smiles in front of a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. More than 20 Anzio veterans were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. Sachen who is 92-years-old was a member of the 81st Reconnaissance Squadron 1st Armored Division. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans . (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

More than 20 veterans from the Anzio Beachhead Invasion of 1944, pose for a group photo with their family members behind a C-17 Globemaster III, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. The veterans were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans . (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

John Boller, shows off his World War II pins, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. Twenty three Anzio veterans were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. Boller who is 90-years-old was a member of the 3rd Infantry Division. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans . (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Kenneth Muston, an Anzio Beachhead Invasion veteran poses for a photo in the loadmaster seat on a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. More than 20 veterans from the event were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. Muston, who is 91-years-old was a private first class from B Company 3rd Infantry Division. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Joe Salonia, an Anzio Beachhead Invasion veteran poses for a photo in front of a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. More than 20 veterans from the event were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. Salonia was a private of the 361st Regiment 91st Division. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead veterans

Veterans from the 1944 Anzio Beachhead Invasion stand inside the belly of a C-17 Globemaster III, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during a tour of the installation. The veterans were in Charleston to celebrate what could be their last reunion event together and to share their stories with the servicemembers stationed here. The invasion of Anzio, near the outskirts of Rome, began Jan. 22, 1944, lasted four months and took the lives of nearly 2,800 Americans . (U.S. Air Force graphic/Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi)

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Anzio Beachhead WWII Vets visit JB Charleston

Published May 19, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Anthony Hyatt
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- More than 80 Anzio Beachhead Veterans of World War II and family members shared their last reunion tour, May 15, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C.

During their tour, the veterans were able to see demonstrations of today's operations of the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, the 628th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bio Environmental Flight and the 437th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment.

"This is the last reunion for these veterans," said Perri Kunofsky, coordinator for the Anzio Beachhead Veterans Reunion tour.

Most of the veterans are in their nineties.

"Last year, 18 of the veterans were able to make it [to the reunion tour]. We wanted to make this 'the best in show' for them," said Kunofsky.

In addition to the demos, the vets and their family members were able to board a 437th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III.

"I can't believe this plane can get off the ground," said John Boller, 3rd Infantry Division. "I have a new perspective and appreciation for those who fly these big airplanes."

After their tour of the C-17, the veterans were able to share their stories with Airmen and Sailors.

"After being rescued as a prisoner of war during WWII, I wish they would have flown me home on a C-17," said Kenneth Muston, B Company 3rd Division. "The trip would have been much shorter and I probably wouldn't have gotten sea sick."

Their tour at JB Charleston concluded with a National Police Week retreat ceremony.

The Battle of Anzio occurred on the beaches of Anzio, Italy in 1944. This battle was the Allied attempt to draw German troops off the Gustav Line during Operation Shingle.

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans

Anzio Beachhead veterans