Hulan Roberts, WWII Veteran, Has Wish To Return To Battleground Granted By Mississippi Middle Schoolers (PHOTOS)

A World War II veteran's dream of returning to the land he fought in is finally being granted, thanks to the generosity of middle school students in Mississippi.

According to the DeSoto Times-Tribune, Hulan Roberts, who was aboard a B-17 bomber during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, wished to return to the Belgian countryside. He wanted to see the towns and villages from the ground rather than the air.

"I'm as interested as anyone to go back and see it," Roberts said in a ceremony at DeSoto Central Middle School. Now, he will get his wish.

Together, DeSoto Central students, Forever Young and the Heroes Wish Program raised enough money to send Roberts, 92, back to Europe, reported Forever Young. The program reunites World War II-era veterans with their comrades.

Students -- some as young as Roberts' nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren -- raised the bulk of the sum. According to the DeSoto Times-Tribune, the school's Junior Beta Club raised more than $4,400 for Roberts’ trip via a spaghetti dinner, a silent auction and a Pajama Day.

Teacher Sadelle Jackson, who heads the club, told the news source that students first discovered Roberts' wish when one of his comrades, J.T. Holyoak, told the class about his service in the same battle.

"It helped the students learn what it was like," Jackson said. "As young as they are, they are so disconnected from it."

There are some good kids out there. It's good to see that some are getting recognition for their good deeds.

steph,

This story is wonderful. The Beta Club does great work.

I like this story because the students learn about history. They learn about appreciating the older generation. They learn that they can chip in and help someone else. And after Mr. Roberts returns I have no doubt that he'll want to share the story of his trip with them, so they'll have the immediacy of that connection between the past and the present.

These are good children that are learning that they can make a difference in the life of another human being. Thanks so much for sharing. This is so heartwarming.

God bless these kids and Mr. Roberts.

I thought it was a great story too. You bring up some vital points to how the kids benefit in a way more than the veteran. This is how it's supposed to be.