https://www.timesunion.com/allnews/article/On-tour-to-meet-50-governors-World-War-II-vet-12926677.php
On tour to meet 50 governors, World War II vet adds Cuomo to list
Updated 7:11 pm, Friday, May 18, 2018
ALBANY -- Five years ago, Paul Walton faced a choice. He could try to revive his ailing hotel business or he could spend more time with his elderly dad.
Walton choose his dad. He has no regrets.
Paul and Sidney Walton have since traveled from their San Diego home to 30 countries. They've met the soon-to-be-wed Prince Harry, the Dalai Lama and George W. Bush, among other well-known people. They've seen sights neither imagined seeing together.
Last month, the Waltons embarked on a new and ambitious journey.
With Sidney on the verge of turning 100 — yes, 100 — they decided to try to meet each of the governors in each of the 50 state capitals, capping the journey with a visit to the White House on Sidney's birthday in February.
Their motive is largely about the fun and togetherness of the journey, but the trip is also intended as a way to give each governor — and President Trump — the chance to meet a World War II veteran as the so-called greatest generation enters its twilight.
The Waltons are calling their journey the "No Regrets" tour, so named because Sidney has forever lamented missing a chance he had to meet a Civil War veteran while growing up in Brooklyn.
But the name could just as easily refer to the time Paul has been spending with Sidney since deciding to retire early.
"This has been the most rewarding time of my life," the son said. "It's a good day when he gets up."
On Friday, the Waltons arrived in Albany after meeting with governors in four of the six New England states. It wasn't Sidney's first time in the New York Capitol. As a teenager, he'd gone on a high school trip to Albany.
"You're home dad," Paul said. "You're back home."
"Yes," the father said.
Sidney, who enlisted in the Army eight months ahead of the Pearl Harbor attack, was repeatedly thanked for his service as Paul, 62, pushed his wheelchair during a tour of the Capitol's ornate rooms and hallways. At 3 p.m., they made their way to the governor's second-floor office.
The Waltons emerged with the governor about 30 minutes later. Cuomo, who had a famously close relationship with his own father, talked with the Waltons about Mario Cuomo during the private meeting and seemed moved by their odyssey.
"I'm proud of you and what you're doing," the governor said before hugging Paul. "Use this time well."
Cuomo awarded Sidney with the Governor's Medal for Public Service and joked that no state on the Waltons' journey would compete with New York for beauty.
"Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker," Cuomo said, kneeling to be level with Sidney's wheelchair. "Go easy on your son," the governor later added. "Don't run him ragged."
The Waltons schedule is certainly demanding. They plan to spend Sunday in the Catskills and Monday in Manhattan's Central Park, where anyone who wants to meet a World War II vet will get the chance.
Then, it's off to the next state capitol. Trenton!
"You're ready to tackle 45 more states?" Paul asked.
"Easily," Sidney said.
