Family gave six sons to serve in military

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by Dennis Kellogg

Story Created: Jul 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM CDT

For the past week, we have been introducing you to some of the Nebraska veterans aboard the latest and final Heartland Honor Flights.  NEWS 5's Dennis Kellogg and videographer Kevin Rempe went with the veterans to Washington D.C. and have been bringing us their stories.
 
One family made quite a sacrifice for their country.
 
Two brothers — Richard and Eddie Knopik — were among the veterans making the trip to see the World War II Memorial.
 
They come from a family of 13 children.  Six of the sons all served in the military — and all served in the Navy.
 
Richard, Eddie, Virgil and Frank all served in World War II.  Their brothers Louis and Jerome served in the Korean War.  Six sons — all involved in active combat — and all returned safely.  Richard and Eddie agree their mom and dad had to have gone through quite a lot.
 
"I guess they were good parents.  We learned from them.  They really figured we ought to go and serve our country," said Richard Knopik.
 
"Just think about our folks.  Even though us kids go to service, I think it is kind of hard to take," Eddie Knopik said.
 
Richard and Eddie's brother Virgil was supposed to join them on this trip, but he passed away in February.
 
Eddie and Virgil actually served together on the same ship during World War II until Eddie was transferred.
 

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