World War II vet begins journey to reunite with wartime girlfriend
Nov. 6, 2015: Norwood Thomas, 93, talks with Joyce Morris via Skype from his home in Virginia Beach, Va. Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A 93-year-old World War II veteran is embarking on a 10,500-mile journey to Australia to visit his wartime girlfriend after more than 70 years apart.
It will take Norwood Thomas, who boarded a plane Sunday from Norfolk with his son, two days to reach the country, where he will be reunited with Joyce Morris, The Virginian-Pilot reported.
"I'd rather die traveling to Australia than live sitting around at home wondering, 'What if?'" Thomas said.
"Joyce was special. The one that got away," Thomas said. "But after the war, my orders to go home came so quick there was no real chance to even say goodbye."