As Another WWII Veteran Passes, a Generation Fades—And With It, Our Living History

MT. VERNON, Ill. (April 25, 2025) — On Easter Sunday, the world said goodbye to Evertt Atkinson, a World War II B-29 Aircraft Commander, Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Life Member, and a passionate aviation advocate. He was 102 years old. Atkinson’s passing is more than the loss of a beloved community figure—it is a reminder that we are rapidly losing the last living connections to one of the most defining chapters in American and world history.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated fewer than 65,000 World War II veterans are still alive. That number continues to shrink by over 125 each day. What was once a generation of over 16 million American servicemembers is now represented by just a fraction of individuals whose voices are still with us. Every loss is not just the passing of a person, but the loss of a firsthand witness to courage, sacrifice, and the world-altering events of the 20th century.

Evertt Atkinson exemplified that generation’s commitment to service, not only in uniform but throughout his life. After his military service, he became a tireless ambassador for aviation history, using his own story to educate and inspire. Atkinson was a fixture at events at Mt. Vernon Airport in Illinois, greeting visitors with warmth and enthusiasm, sharing the wonder of the B-29 and B-17, and reminding us why this history matters.

But preserving legacies like his requires more than ceremony. It calls for action. For storytelling. For education. And for ensuring that the missions and messages these veterans carried don’t vanish as time moves forward. Organizations like the Commemorative Air Force work to keep those memories alive through living history aircraft, public events, and the voices of people like Atkinson.

Now, with Evertt’s name added to the growing list of those we’ve lost, we are reminded how urgent this mission has become. The time to ask questions, record memories, and honor these veterans is not someday—it’s now.

Evertt Atkinson is honored at Mt. Vernon Airport with a dedicated B-29 display and a place in the Hall of Honor. But perhaps the greatest tribute is the work still to be done: to share these stories, preserve these aircraft, and ensure that future generations understand not just the history—but the humanity—behind them.

Statistics Source: https://www.va.gov/vetdata/Veteran_Population.asp, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333701/us-military-ww2-veterans-living-estimate/,