JACKSON, Wyo. — Sidney Walton has one major regret in life:
He did not meet a Civil War veteran when he had the chance.
“I’ve regretted it all my life,” Walton says.
But the 101-year-old is now a war veteran himself. He joined the army during World War II “to kill Hitler,” he proudly exclaims. And two years ago, as a 99-year-old army vet living in a nursing home, he realized he could offer others the opportunity he himself passed up as a young man.
He embarked on his “No Regrets” tour two years ago to give “everyone in the US a chance to meet a WWII vet before it’s too late,” said Walton’s son and copilot Paul Walton. His goal is to visit every state and meet every governor in the U.S.
Wyoming became his 30th state this week. Sidney Walton met Governor Mark Gordon Monday, June 8, and spend the day in Jackson Tuesday, June 9. At a private reception in Teton County, Walton reflected on his drive and his visit to Jackson.
“It’s beautiful,” he said. “Stunning. The people are very nice here.”
Walton and his family are easy to spot: they’re the ones in a Buick SUV with Walton’s young face and an American flag decal wrapped around the car.
Walton is in Montana today meeting Governor Bullock.
Follow Walton’s journey at GoSidneyGo.com.
