This essay is a departure from my usual humorous ramblings.
In 2012, I became a local volunteer guardian with Honor Flight, a non-profit organization that brings World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War Veterans to Washington to see the memorials dedicated to their service. In that role, I have been privileged to meet hundreds of veterans. I hope this essay will give you a brief insight into their once-in-a-lifetime 'Honor Flight' experience. I took all the photographs you will see in the slideshow at the bottom of the page, and the quotes (in bold type) are directly from the veterans I met. If you would like to know more about Honor Flight, click on the logo image to the right.
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The veterans laugh at the beady eyes and gargantuan droopy nose etched in the gray granite at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
“I never went anywhere that Kilroy didn’t get there first!”
The badges hanging from their lanyards revealing their names and home state, bounce against their matching colored t-shirts as they stroll around the majestic memorial. They pause at the “Wall of Freedom” with its four thousand gold stars, each representing one hundred lives lost.
“When a bullet goes by your head it doesn’t go whoosh; it goes ping.”
The day starts early for these veterans, arriving at their home airport before dawn to check in for their special day. For most, it is their first time to see the Nation's Capital. Some had been stationed in the city, others have been to Washington on vacation or to visit relatives. But for all, this day, this event, this Honor Flight is a trip of a lifetime.
From its modest beginnings in 2005, Honor Flight has since escorted more than 200,000 World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veterans to Washington to see the memorials dedicated to them. In cities throughout the country, hundreds of volunteers tirelessly work behind the scenes fulfilling every task from registering the veterans, coordinating flights, buses, tour guides, guardians, EMTs, airport greetings, arranging police escorts, procuring wheelchairs, ordering box lunches, and myriad other jobs that go into making sure the veterans have the day they deserve.
“My son was thirteen-months-old before I got to meet him.”
Each veteran is paired with a guardian. It is the guardians’ responsibility to stay with their assigned veteran from the time they leave their home hub until they return late that evening. Their task is to make sure their veteran stays hydrated, takes necessary medication, push wheelchairs when necessary, help them get on the right bus, take pictures, and stay close by, ensuring a safe and memorable day. Although, there is no charge for the veteran, the guardian pays at least $500 for their part of the trip. The cost is more if the trip requires an overnight stay. On some occasions, a guardian can be a younger relative, but rarely a spouse. Most often the guardian and their veteran meet for the first time at the airport.
“I went in the army in 1942, when I was 17 years old. I was 21 when I got out and joined the 52/20 club. I spent the whole year drinking, then went back home to the farm. I haven’t had a drink since.”
Upon arrival in Washington, as the plane taxies toward the arrival gate, it is greeted by an arc of water from the water canons, and service flags lining the tarmac. As they disembark and enter the terminal, these special guests, these heroes make their way through an aisle lined with red, white and blue balloons, service flags, signs reading “Welcome” and “Thank You” live music, and hundreds of people waving American flags, cheering, applauding, patting their backs and offering enthusiastic handshakes.
Chartered buses, with their outside LED destination signs reading “Honor Flight” take them from the airport through Washington with stops at the World War II Memorial, The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery for the changing of the guard ceremony, visits to the Lincoln Memorial, and Korean and Vietnam War Memorials. Depending on the weather, traffic, organizing hub, and time restrictions, they may also visit The Air Force Memorial, The Marine Memorial, The Navy Memorial and other military sites. It’s not uncommon for the buses to be escorted by members of Rolling Thunder on their motorcycles, or to see men standing on the sidewalks saluting the passing buses.
“My buddy wanted to go pheasant hunting. He got his rifle and headed off bragging about the pheasants we would have for supper. He stepped on a landmine.”
Without exception, at each stop the veterans are overwhelmed by the vast number of people anxious to greet them and say thank you. Most are tourists, but a surprising number are school children genuinely wanting the veterans to know how much they are appreciated. A handshake and the words, “Thank you for your service, sir” are repeated throughout the day.
“I wish my wife was here. She would eat this up!”
After an exhausting day, they are delivered back to the airport for their journey home. During the flight, the veterans enjoy “Mail Call." Each veteran is handed a large envelope stuffed with letters. Some are addressed to a specific veteran from a family member or friend but most are written by residents and school kids from their home state. The kids' letters generally begin with “Dear Veteran.” They say things like: “You are a hero” or “We are reading about World War II in our history books.” It’s common to see a young child’s awkward block printing and a picture drawn with crayons.
Arriving at their home hub, they are greeting by hundreds, sometimes thousands of grateful people, cheering, and waving flags. Honor Flight has not only touched the lives of the veterans and their families, but also hundreds of volunteers, member of the military, grateful citizens, and ordinary folks like me.
“We just did what we had to do.”
In 2012, I became a local volunteer guardian with Honor Flight, a non-profit organization that brings World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War Veterans to Washington to see the memorials dedicated to their service. In that role, I have been privileged to meet hundreds of veterans. I hope this essay will give you a brief insight into their once-in-a-lifetime 'Honor Flight' experience. I took all the photographs you will see in the slideshow at the bottom of the page, and the quotes (in bold type) are directly from the veterans I met. If you would like to know more about Honor Flight, click on the logo image to the right.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The veterans laugh at the beady eyes and gargantuan droopy nose etched in the gray granite at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
“I never went anywhere that Kilroy didn’t get there first!”
The badges hanging from their lanyards revealing their names and home state, bounce against their matching colored t-shirts as they stroll around the majestic memorial. They pause at the “Wall of Freedom” with its four thousand gold stars, each representing one hundred lives lost.
“When a bullet goes by your head it doesn’t go whoosh; it goes ping.”
The day starts early for these veterans, arriving at their home airport before dawn to check in for their special day. For most, it is their first time to see the Nation's Capital. Some had been stationed in the city, others have been to Washington on vacation or to visit relatives. But for all, this day, this event, this Honor Flight is a trip of a lifetime.
From its modest beginnings in 2005, Honor Flight has since escorted more than 200,000 World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veterans to Washington to see the memorials dedicated to them. In cities throughout the country, hundreds of volunteers tirelessly work behind the scenes fulfilling every task from registering the veterans, coordinating flights, buses, tour guides, guardians, EMTs, airport greetings, arranging police escorts, procuring wheelchairs, ordering box lunches, and myriad other jobs that go into making sure the veterans have the day they deserve.
“My son was thirteen-months-old before I got to meet him.”
Each veteran is paired with a guardian. It is the guardians’ responsibility to stay with their assigned veteran from the time they leave their home hub until they return late that evening. Their task is to make sure their veteran stays hydrated, takes necessary medication, push wheelchairs when necessary, help them get on the right bus, take pictures, and stay close by, ensuring a safe and memorable day. Although, there is no charge for the veteran, the guardian pays at least $500 for their part of the trip. The cost is more if the trip requires an overnight stay. On some occasions, a guardian can be a younger relative, but rarely a spouse. Most often the guardian and their veteran meet for the first time at the airport.
“I went in the army in 1942, when I was 17 years old. I was 21 when I got out and joined the 52/20 club. I spent the whole year drinking, then went back home to the farm. I haven’t had a drink since.”
Upon arrival in Washington, as the plane taxies toward the arrival gate, it is greeted by an arc of water from the water canons, and service flags lining the tarmac. As they disembark and enter the terminal, these special guests, these heroes make their way through an aisle lined with red, white and blue balloons, service flags, signs reading “Welcome” and “Thank You” live music, and hundreds of people waving American flags, cheering, applauding, patting their backs and offering enthusiastic handshakes.
Chartered buses, with their outside LED destination signs reading “Honor Flight” take them from the airport through Washington with stops at the World War II Memorial, The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery for the changing of the guard ceremony, visits to the Lincoln Memorial, and Korean and Vietnam War Memorials. Depending on the weather, traffic, organizing hub, and time restrictions, they may also visit The Air Force Memorial, The Marine Memorial, The Navy Memorial and other military sites. It’s not uncommon for the buses to be escorted by members of Rolling Thunder on their motorcycles, or to see men standing on the sidewalks saluting the passing buses.
“My buddy wanted to go pheasant hunting. He got his rifle and headed off bragging about the pheasants we would have for supper. He stepped on a landmine.”
Without exception, at each stop the veterans are overwhelmed by the vast number of people anxious to greet them and say thank you. Most are tourists, but a surprising number are school children genuinely wanting the veterans to know how much they are appreciated. A handshake and the words, “Thank you for your service, sir” are repeated throughout the day.
“I wish my wife was here. She would eat this up!”
After an exhausting day, they are delivered back to the airport for their journey home. During the flight, the veterans enjoy “Mail Call." Each veteran is handed a large envelope stuffed with letters. Some are addressed to a specific veteran from a family member or friend but most are written by residents and school kids from their home state. The kids' letters generally begin with “Dear Veteran.” They say things like: “You are a hero” or “We are reading about World War II in our history books.” It’s common to see a young child’s awkward block printing and a picture drawn with crayons.
Arriving at their home hub, they are greeting by hundreds, sometimes thousands of grateful people, cheering, and waving flags. Honor Flight has not only touched the lives of the veterans and their families, but also hundreds of volunteers, member of the military, grateful citizens, and ordinary folks like me.
“We just did what we had to do.”
