Volunteer to be a Guardian and go. It’s a life changing day for the Veteran and Guardian. I promise.
2
My father, who is a World War 2 veteran, went on the honor flight several years ago and it was a wonderful experience for him. His personal escort became a 'fast friend' and they have stayed in touch since then. He even got to meet the late former Senator Bob Dole, who was instrumental in helping to build the World War 2 Memorial. Kudos to all of the people who help make this happen, and to all of the people who 'honor' these veterans as they arrive in DC with their warm wishes.
2
As my father served in Vietnam, he never really opened up about his experience in the military until I had to do a history project on Vietnam war back in high school.
Last year he was fortunate enough to be selected for Dayton Honor Flight, after a three year wait, my brother was his chaperone and I was able to participate in the return celebration.
This trip and the Honor Flight Volunteers run a remarkable organization helping lift the spirits of my father and so many veterans, who especially during the Vietnam war were never really valued until now.
2
My Grandpa and I went on an Honor Flight 4 years ago and it was something neither of us will ever forget. I drive out to the airport to shake hands with these veterans as often as I can and thank them. Thank you today for publishing this story.
1
A great article. I was on an Honor Flight a few years ago and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. In a way this flight was therapy for many veterans who never could talk about their service. It was most worth while and I hope that every veteran should be given this opportunity. I Thank all the people that made this possible.
2
If you ever have the privilege to be in the airport when one of these flights is departing, you will never forget the sight. A sea of courage and humility.
3
I don't care which war you fought in. All soldiers are heroes and should be honored for their service. In the 60's and early 70's, I watched with horror as returning soldiers had things thrown at them, were shouted at, and spit upon by protesters of the Vietnam war. This was in stark contrast to news reels of the ticker tape parades when WWII soldiers returned and the country ensured that every soldier knew his/her service and sacrifices were appreciated. Politics rarely enters into the decision to join the military. It usually has more to do with the principles of patriotism, duty and honor.
My father, William G. Thornton served 6 years on active duty in Europe during WWII. He didn't know when that war would end or even if he would survive it. He believed in honor, service and duty. Period! His life reflected these ideals to his very last day.
William G. Thornton was the first man to ever love me. He raised me to believe in those same principles that governed his life. While he lived I never feared anything because I knew he had my back. Since his death, I have tried to honor him. I miss you so much Dad! RIP
To every soldier out there; thank you! Your service reminds us all of what is most important in life. Duty, honor and service to each other.
2
I simply love and revere our U.S. veterans.
These photos and this article brought many tears to my eyes (sorry for any typos).
I wish my uncle who served and landed on Normandy Beach was alive to see the monuments created to honor him and all veterans.
Thank you for the generosity and coordinated efforts by many who support, arrange, and orchestrate these honor flights.
If only I had barrels of money to pay for every vet who wishes to partake and witness those monuments made with love, respect, and devotion.
Is there a website for donations? I don't recall seeing one in the article.
2
Our swing dance community in DC meets these flights at arrival/departure and it is one of the most rewarding events you can imagine. These folks, men and women who served their country long ago without fanfare, are shown a small amount of the appreciation due them for their service. We’ve watched them go from WWII vets, to Korea and now Viet Nam. The volunteer work that goes into these events is remarkable.
2
The absolute perfect article to run on Veteran's Day!
Thank you and bless each and every American veteran!
Thank you Jennifer Steinhauer for a beautiful story and Christopher Lee for captivating and heartwarming photos!
3
These flights are all well and good, but why not take the money and invest it where it will do veterans the most good: in affordable housing, medical care, nursing home costs, transportation, food, mental health care. At a time when the VA’s motto is “deny, deny until they die,” our vets need help meeting some of their most basic, human needs.
3
@Susan O’Donovan Hi.. the money comes from private donations. You need to talk to your government! This is the first "thank you for your service " that some of our Viet Nam Vets ever received!
My husband (a veteran Viet Nam) and I went as Guardians. He passed away 3 months after we went.
9
@Susan O’Donovan: The money comes from many, many small donations. From raffles and bake sales and kids bringing pennies to schools. I had the privilege of being on a flight two years ago after my daughter talked me into applying. It was a whirlwind 24 hours but an incredible experience for the 106 veterans I went with. We laughed and cried and made new friends and remembered old ones. My daughter is leaving tonight for her 13th trip as a volunteer and says she will keep going as long as they need her. The volunteers pay all their own expenses including air fare. She actively solicits funds for her Honor Flight organization whenever the opportunity presents, speaking to school assemblies and group meetings. As a disabled veteran who is not rich and has medical issues, I appreciate what you are saying but Deb Gaskell is right. Talk to your government. I do.
5
I read this whole article through tears. Thank you.
2
As a retired VA nurse, this I can say without doubt: veterans are the salt of the earth. Honor. Respect. Duty. All bred in the bone.
2
My Dad was a WWII Vet of the Army Airforce. He was an airplane mechanic for preflight systems from 1944 to 1948. He never felt he was "worthy" of going on Honor Flight because he didn't "fight" and was never stationed overseas. Nonsense, we told him, and tried to convince him he was just as worthy as the next Vet to attend. He finally went on Honor Flight Mission 40 (Rochester, NY) in 2015 at age 93 with my husband as his guardian. All the staff from the Honor Flight hub in Rochester did a superb job, especially the nurses who kept tabs on his health condition. Dad was overwhelmed at all the memorials they saw over the two-day event, the public greeting and thanking him, the letters received from local students at "mail call" on the plane, and the welcome home ceremony at the airport. He passed away in 2016, and I now have his Airforce hat along with his encased funeral flag and Honor Flight ID badge clustered together in my home. Special thanks to the NYT for this article on Vet's Day and for bringing more attention to the Honor Flight program. My husband has since taken another local Vet on Honor Flight, but there are many non-relative guardians waiting to take Vets who may not have a family member or friend to take them. Whatever city it's in, Honor Flight does a remarkable job and I would urge any family with an aging Vet to take advantage of this opportunity before it's too late. It's free to the Veteran.
5
Regarding "mail call" letters each Vet receives on the plane, these are usually from local students whose schools receive a list of "Mission" attendees, their war/conflict, unit of service, and military specialty. The fall after my Dad went on his Mission, our local teacher's association received a special request just days before school started. The next Honor Flight Mission was mid Sept, and since school was not yet in session, our students could not write letters in time. The staff was then asked if each of us would write to at least one Vet. Since my Dad had received so much pleasure from these letters, I took the assignment thinking I would write about 10 letters. Well, I wrote to each Vet on the list (60 names). It was fun to look up each job description; some military assignments were fascinating. Several Vets wrote back and thanked me.
My Dad had also replied to his letters, and we included a picture of him at the Lincoln Memorial so students could make a real connection. He described his duties as an airplane mechanic and answered each question. As I recall, one student called him "old as dirt" when he saw my Dad was a WWII Vet (we had fun answering that one). This experience with Honor Flight allowed Vets to share their detailed stories, some for the first time. Dad had never told us his specific duties as an airplane mechanic or that he worked on B-17s, B-24s, or B-25s until after the trip as he dictated each of his replies to the students.
2
Got my dates wrong...1942 to 1946.
1
My father participated in an Honor Flight trip from Chicago, Illinois about 3 1/2 years ago. He went with the only person from his Army unit in Korea that he was still in contact with. They both had a wonderful time and my father commented that he was treated like royalty. The young lady who was his helper on the trip was very kind and patient and that greatly enhanced the experience. The mail call on the flight back was a big hit: my sister organized the project and my dad got a stack of letter from his family and friends. My Dad passed away 2 years ago and he treasured the memories from that trip right up to the end.
8
Two years ago, my father, who was 95 years old, died. Serving in the Air Force in Great Britain during WWII was one of his fondest memories that he always talked about.
Growing up, there were the inevitable political clashes between a member of the Baby Boomer generation (myself) and he, being a proud member of the Greatest Generation. But there was always love and great respect for each other, too.
One of the biggest and best memories in my father’s life was when he was asked to participate in an Honor Flight about six years old ago. It was something that he talked about many times over the last few years of his life.
And, what was even more amazing was that my father, a lifelong Republican, and myself, a liberal Democrat, shared a deep and abiding distrust of President Trump. As one of his primary caregivers during the last few years of his life, we both marveled that we finally shared some political beliefs in common.
We buried my father two years ago in a deeply moving service that celebrated his proud military heritage. He was laid to rest with his Air Force cap and some of his military medals held in his hands.
Many tears were shed during a cold and snowy day just like today in Chicago when he was laid to rest. There was not a dry eye among our family members when taps were played as part of a service led by a local group of active military members.
Good bye, Dad. We will always love and remember you.
9
It's was an unexpected, very emotional experience for my husband and I when we went to see it many years ago. As you walk down and then get to the center of the monument all the names that tower above and to the left and right of you has a Powerful! Impact. Especially, when one looks at the thousands of birthday years that are your own year.
My husband spent time in DaNang, with the 1st Marine Division as a medical doctor in 1970-1971.
4
In an era of safe spaces, trigger warnings, and micro aggession woes, I view these soldiers with enormous awe and respect.
Even as a young liberal during Vietnam, I bowed in appreciation to returning soldiers. How could I do otherwise, the child of a WWII vet who spent his 21st birthday pushing back against the Germans, one of the Band of Brothers.
I honor these men and women, today and every day.
6
I live a few hours' drive from Washington, DC. A local high school has an "Honor Bus" program planned and executed by a group of students and their advisors. Every Fall, the veterans who apply for the trip gather at the high school for breakfast and are given T-shirts commemorating the trip and making them easy to identify in a crowd. Then they and their student assistants, along with adult chaperones, board the buses and make the trip.
When they arrive, they eat their box lunches and visit the same sites as the Honor Flight contigents. They have dinner at a restaurant on the way home. Back at the high school, they are given more gifts, including a group photo of the men who made the trip.
My friend, a disabled Vietnam veteran, said he would never go to visit "The Wall." I had been there several times and convinced him to take the Honor Bus trip so that he could be with his fellow veterans. He came back very glad he had gone. It had given him the opportunity to honor the friend from the war who had died saving my friend's life.
I'm so grateful for the group that took him on that trip. A lot of healing happened that day. And just in time - he passed away the following June. RIP, Soldier.
5
My Dad, a World War Two vet, went on the Honor Flight a few years ago. He wept on his return to Logan airport as they were greeted by onlookers.
To this day, he wears his Honor Flight hat everyday. The trip rekindled his pride in what he and his fellow soldiers achieved so many years ago.
Thankfully, he is still with us today, and I imagine is having a wonderful day of remembrance.
7
Thank you for this article. I just donated in honor of my dad, a WWII Navy veteran. He passed away in 2017 at 91. Though we never discussed it, I'd guess he would likely never have considered taking an Honor Flight. His approach was that you do what you need to do when you need to do it. And you don't expect any special recognition either.
However, I know he donated to many groups supporting veterans, perhaps this group as well. Dad's sacrifice along with the millions of others in the services have allowed us to live in security. I'll continue to support Honor Flight for him.
2
Thank you for this article. It’s a great program. I was honored to be the medical escort on a flight to Washington from Nashville. A very humbling and moving experience.
5
Thank you for sharing our story, NYT. The written words, the pictures, they resonate strong with each of our 120 hubs across the US. I’ve had the honor of making 27 of these trips - 26 with Puget Sound Honor Flight in Western WA, and one with Inland NW Honor Flight out of Eastern WA — and each trip provides an opportunity to not only honor our local veterans, but also to listen, to learn, to truly engage and to be part of their cathartic journey. There are so many ways for people to get involved - find a local hub and jump in. For when these senior veterans are gone, so are their stories. Stories that need to be told, shared and taught. 🇺🇸❤️
3
I was honored to be selected to crew an honor flight from Oshkosh Wisconsin to and from DC several years ago. When these Vietnam vets saw the honor wall, many for the first time, their emotions surfaced from deep within their internal scars. They told of their training (basically none), the loss of their friends and the terrible treatment they received upon returning home. One said initially they weren’t even welcome at VFW meetings. Most were innocent teenagers who, upon being drafted, felt they had to go, for the country. It was the most moving experience I have had in my 42 years of work in the field of commercial aviation. I arrived home educated, humbled and enormously grateful.
36
@Wamsutta Thank you for flying these folks!!! On our flight home (we were guardians) the Alaska Airline pilot had his wife and father in law(WWII vet) DG
1
@Wamsutta
Thank you! Old Glory Honor Flight helped organize that flight during EAA Air Venture. Such a great day for all our veterans! Thank you for reaffirming the special work Honor Flight does around the country! Hope to see you again on a future flight! ❤️
1
Thank you NYT for this amazing article and tribute to our military. Sadly, our military rarely gets the praise and honor they deserve. AND that the VA is sorely lacking in many areas is a disgrace. We should always be grateful for these brave, self-sacrificing men and women. Please consider making a donation to an agency that assists veterans.
19
@Laura West
Adding a signal boost to Laura’s great comment about the Veterans Administration.
Please, please, please pester your Congressional representatives and senators to fully fund the VA with our tax dollars, NOT private equity which only exists to siphon capital from millions of veterans and redirect it to the bank accounts of a few millionaires and billionaires who never served anything beyond their rapacious self-interests. Fully funding the VA is the sacred duty of the nation’s taxpayers and no one else.
8
@left coast finch thank you, thank you for your post
2
I have been able to serve as an airport greeter with my family at Dulles Airport. Both times it was a memorable experience for me and a teachable moment for my young daughter. She is currently learning about heroism - tales, people, attributes - at school, and it is so wonderful to see her connect the dots.
Even in retirement, these heroes continue to serve as examples. They greatly honor us and benefit us with their presence, whereas we are merely giving them, at a very late hour and far remove, a small portion of the respect and accolades they actually deserve.
I urge anyone with interest in the lives of veterans to get involved in this wonderful program.
3
A few years ago my father-in-law, a WWII veteran, was on an Honors Flight from Colorado. He was touched by and deeply grateful for the experience. Many, many thank yous to the volunteers.
4
@Peter Schaeffer
Same with my Dad, from New Hampshire. He was incredulous at the reception the WW II vets received - he told us, in wonderment, "Everywhere we went, people applauded!" But I think for him, the mail call was the high point.
2
The picture of the Korean War memorial—several soldiers caught in moving though a field—is haunting. I think that war is easily overlooked.
7
God Bless Earl Morse and Jeff Miller and all the other people involved with the Honor Flight Program.
And thank you, most sincerely.
5
This is surely one of best essays I've ever seen in the Times-
a clear, sympathetic and very well written text by Ms
Jennifer and beautiful, telling, inward facing photo montage
by an inspired Mr. Lee. The quiet shot of a wife's hand
supporting a veteran's back , the both peeking out from
between two soldier icons stuns me and describes the
gentle force of this Veterans' Day.Many thanks and a salute.
B/2nd/319th Arty
101 ABN
7
My 93 year old Dad got to be part of the Honor Flight from St Louis back last Spring for a bunch of WW II vets (not a lot of them still around!). Having never heard of the organization, I was at first skeptical, but the St Louis chapter was very professional and addressed all my concerns. His companion was a young girl who took great care of him all day. I got to see pictures of the trip and my Dad looked so happy and proud...
Best of all I get to go see him next week and I am so looking forward to talking with him about the experience. I spoke with him yesterday and after all these years got to thank him for his service!
7
I wish my dad, who was a Korean veteran, were still here today. He would be as
happy and proud as his counterparts in the US. since they shared the same ideology and dignity.
I’m always proud of you, dad!
4
My grandfather was able to go on an Honor Flight before he passed a few years ago. My sister was living in DC at the time and met him at the Korean War memorial. Their photo together there is a special image in our family. Soil from the memorial is sprinkled at his grave in Ohio. We are grateful for his service and bravery, and for the Honor Flights.
5
Lovely, lovely uplifting article.
My father was a Marine in the South Pacific in WWII.
Guadalcanal, Saipan, Bougainville.
His unit wasn’t sent to Iwo for some reason. Probably why I’m here.
He’d be 99 if he were still alive. He died at 90 in 10 but his tears of gratitude for the folks who arranged these flights are flowing through my eyes.
Semper Fi.
7
Regarding the quote by Tom Yohe. There are also some very liberal Viet Nam vets who served in Viet Nam. I know quite a few. One of them was my brother. His son was born with a birth defect, and he died at 55 from Giloblastoma brain tumors courtesy of AO. His high school buddy's name is on The Wall in DC. Both were very honorable and liberal, so I will honor ALL vets today out of love and respect for them.
54
I recently had the honor of being part of Honor Flight Columbus’ 99th excursion, a day I shall cherish forever! As with the others, I was absolutely overwhelmed by our reception on our return— hundreds of cheering people who had gathered at the airport at 10:00 pm to welcome us home. I tear up just thinking about it, and am so grateful to everyone who makes these flights possible!
37
@Gary Haslop
I’d never heard of this till now! I’m a 71 yr. old Vet, served in Japan & Korea...I’ve recently had bouts of tears re: my STRATCOM experiences related to Vietnam never being recognized! HOW do I proceed to be considered for this awesome effort? Is it still in existence?
6
@Steve W SURELY your local VFW or American Legion will know. If that's not available, contact your Congressional Representative. They will be able to give you the info immediately. Please don't delay on doing this b/c there is probably a wait list. Thank you for your service.
7
@highway
Thank you...I will immediately!!
1
Having seen an Honor Flight or two come into Reagan National Airport and some returning home while traveling over the years, it was a pleasure to read this article that gave some of the background and behind the scenes other parts of what Honor Flights provide for our Veterans. Also, I was pleased to learn about the origins of the program which started with a guy who had an idea at VA hospital. It just shows us all what is possible with a good idea and the motivation to try and continue to improve how we all respect our Veterans. Thank you NY Times for a great article and thank you Earl Morse and Jeff Miller!
47
Thank you!! My husband served as a Marine in WWII, serving in and living through five Pacific campaigns, including Iwo Jima. He went on an Honor Flight from New Bern, NC in 2015 and enjoyed it enormously. He had seen the Marine Corps museum, the statue of the flag raising, Arlington Cemetery, etc. in 2010, when we attended in DC a 65th anniversary of the landing on Iwo, but the World War II memorial didn't exist then and he was thrilled to have the opportunity to see it. He was amazed at the reactions of crowds at the airport and elsewhere and I was completely blown away by the reception the veterans received on arriving home. It is a wonderful program.
47
We visit family in DC frequently, and have seen the Honor Flight guests often, at the WWII Memorial and other sites.
Last month during our visit we went back to Arlington National Cemetery and saw some sitting in wheelchairs, watching the changing of the guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.
My dad is gone now, but he served in WWII. I so wish we had known about this when he was alive, because while he never made a big deal about his service, he would have loved seeing these places.
Thanks to the Honor Flight Network and all they do to recognize the service of great Americans.
66
What a heart-warming story. It is great to read something that is apolitical and so meaningful to so many. What an act of kindness! We need more of this; congratulations to the originator of the idea!
85
I've been on a few of these flights on trips to Washington DC from Austin on Southwest. It's touching and also bittersweet. My sincerest wish, one that I think will never be granted is that we stop making new veterans.
The siren song of serving ones country is is strong and deeply ingrained in our history but our elected officials need to deliberate more before sending our youth to die for dubious goals in never ending wars. Stop calling them conflicts too!
7
My late uncle Hugh "Hank" Blank, a Navy veteran, took one of these flights. We were invited to send letters to these soldiers in advance, to be delivered and opened on the plane. Following the old slogan "Send a salami to your boy in the army," I did just that, with a card that read "Carry on, Sailor." He was the only one to receive more than a letter, and was thrilled. BTW his parents - my grandparents - used to send me salamis when I was in summer camp.
5
It would be great if there was a way for ppl to donate their airline miles to this group
8
Hornor flights are a great service to veterans who survived and honoring those who served but could not attend. I served, survived, our strategic MAD doctrine kept us busy throughout the wars but limited our losses to those who training missions whent wrong. The Honor Flight was a humbling experience and while on it, my thinking kept coming back to those whose lives were lost in our nation's wars. Getting beyond the feeling of gratitude for surviving eludes me still.
4
Wow! I hope I'm lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time one of these days.
2
For me, my military service was a job for which I was satisfactorily compensated. I never cared for the award ceremonies - they gave me more stage fright than war zones.
3
Members of my family are Honor Flight volunteers here in Melbourne, Florida. I got up at 2am one morning to accompany them and witness first hand this heart warming experience. I cried a lot during the ceremony as they loaded the buses. Most poignant were the tags around their necks ... each with a black and white photo of them from when they served. Looking at so many in wheelchairs while staring at their once very young faces was quite sobering indeed. Our lives go by so fast. It showed me how significant our life's choices are every step of the way.
22
Incredible story, thank you to all who make this happen. My dad served in Korea as an army paratrooper and corpsmen with some medical war stories fit for a “M.A.S.H.” episode. He’s been very lucky to have made it to the memorials in DC with members of our family and it’s great that the journey is made possible for others of his generation.
The nation owes all veterans, big-time, but more than a once-in-lifetime trip spearheaded by civilian volunteers, it needs to fully fund the VA and other programs that support them, no matter the cost. Write or call your senator and representative to demand full governmental support of the VA with no private profiteering on the backs of our veterans. This is the sacred duty of the nation, not some jackpot for soulless private equity sharks who most likely never served anything outside of their profound greed.
14
Thank you all for your service. We owe you a great debt.
7
I read NOTHING about the thousands and thousands of Puerto Ricans drafted into the Viet Nam war. I was one of them
13
As I read the article, looked at the images, and was grateful and proud of this much needed endeavor, I couldn’t help but notice no American veterans who are persons of color. Not one.
9
I really wish my 94 year old father would do this. He served in the Navy during WWII and the Korean War. It's not, apparently, that he can't travel. My brother is moving him from Chicago to Florida in a few months.
3
@Christina encourage him -- my dad who served in Korea did the flight about 10 years ago and still talks about it, and is very involved in recruiting KWV to come to reunions if they can. The "mail call" experience was wonderful as all four kids and grandkids wrote letters to him so he'd get something each day. Peace.
Honor Air had a very active recruitment effort in the Tennessee town where we lived when my WWII veteran husband made his flight in 2013. He was accompanied by the gentleman who spearheaded the program locally, a Korean War veteran who lovingly pushed my husband's wheel chair all day. They had become good friends in the months prior to the departure. Their welcome home at the airport was astounding. My husband fell ill a few weeks later and died one month after his Honor Air flight, one of the most memorable events of his very remarkable life. Thank you for this well deserved coverage of the veterans and Honor Air.
16
My wife accompanied her father on an Honor Flight for Korean War vets. Bob Dole was on hand to greet them when they arrived in DC. Her dad was a pretty grumpy old man, but that simple gesture of having a wheelchair-bound Senator Dole to shake each one of their hands moved him. Like Dole, my father-in-law was from Kansas. He died at a VA hospital last March.
Glad he got to make that trip.
24
A very nice gesture and from my observation one that is wildly appreciated by the honored vets. Too bad the WWII memorial is such a sterile ugly concrete pit. But the main thing is being fussed over and kings/queens for a day.
The world owes the WWII vets more gratitude and honor than they can ever receive. The country owes Vietnam and Middle East vets gratitude for their patriotism and service, notwithstanding the stupidity of the Democratic and Republican administrations that sent them there.
I'm a vet and am really turned off by all the "God Bless America" as part of the seventh inning stretch and the excessive bowing and scraping at vets these days. That's just a cheap gesture fueled by guilt of those who dodged the draft or made sure it got eliminated even as military interventions lived on (with the full support of the bowers and scrapers). I DO like the dedicated parking spaces tho!
20
I'm proud to be the wife, daughter and mother of U.S. combat veterans. Our freedoms are secured by those who serve, sometimes in campaigns they don't personally support. That's what so many don't understand.
6
My town works closely with Suffolk County's Honor Flight hub. I served as an escort on a flight last year, paired with an Air Force Korean War veteran. I never expected to be as moved by the entire experience as I was. From the send off at the airport early in the morning, through touring each of the memorials, watching the vets receive "mail call" (in our case, letters and pictures from local kids), to the amazing welcome home late that night when we returned, I was totally blown away by the experience. And the gentleman I was paired with was amazing--funny, charming, interesting--we talked about his service and so many other things. I would highly, highly recommend this experience to anyone who has the opportunity to participate.
My dad did not serve (there were four of us under the age of four, so he was exempted), and my uncles who did serve in WWII and Korea were all too ill to participate. But meeting so many who did serve and traveling with them to the memorials gave me an even greater appreciation for those who made such sacrifices for our freedom. We should never forget, and always be grateful.
13
A WWII veteran (and original Tuskegee Airman) friend of my Dad convinced him to go on an Honor Flight. And I got to go along for the day with my Dad. It was an amazing experience. My Dad kept talking about it for years afterwards. Honor Flight is a wonderful program. Thanks for the article giving it some attention.
26
Last year my 98 year old Dad/WWll Navy vet went on his Honor Flight with his Sons as escorts. They left from mid-Michigan. Each step of the way, the vets were met by groups of people who cheered and thanked him for his service. My Dad was given Beautiful homemade gifts (quilt and Teddy Bear) along the way.
Whenever we talk about it, he tears up. He never expected to be treated so well for doing “his duty”. My Dad says it was one of the best days of his life.
26
I was on a plane with a group of these Veterans. When we landed, Scouts and others welcomed them home. Touching tribute!
11
Scanned this article to see if there was a link to give to this organization. I think so many of us look for a way to give back to our Veteran's on this day but the average person does not know where or how best to give that would have the greatest impact for our Vets. Any suggestions would be welcomed! Thank you.
28
@Isitme Go here:
https://www.honorflight.org/
3
@Isitme
In our state ,Connecticut, we have a program to donate , clothing, furniture and other things. You let them know that you are leaving everything at the front porch, and they come and pick them up, leaving you a thank you note.
The phone # I have is 1800-775-VETS (8387) try it to schedule a pick up. Or check www.scheduleapickup.com
Thanks,
3
Let us never forget those who served..
10
I'm always amazed that the military airlift command doesn't support this program robustly.
9
Agreed but in short, public funding for these events for these now private citizens is not authorized by Congress. That’s where Veteran Service Organizations like Honor Flights fill in the gap. Same thing with Fisher Houses at VA hospitals that let Veterans family members stay for free while their loved ones get medical care. All wonderful ways to bridge the gap which could be more complicated were the government to get involved.
12
We need a memorial for veterans that lost their lives from war related injuries long after their departure from the military. Thousand have died decades after Vietnam and other conflicts from both physical and mental issues that deserve the recognition.
25
@Bill A.
I have often thought the same. My brother died from Agent Orange brain tumors at 55.
10
An amazing org that treats these senior veterans with the dignity and respect they so deserve.
14
On this Veterans’ Day, let us remember that in 2016 Trump raised $2 million or more to benefit veterans’ groups, and then he kept the money and used it for himself and his campaign. Yep. Trump stole from the vets! And he’s admitted it in papers settling a lawsuit about it.
74
@Steve The guy is a grifter and always has been.
10
Mail call on the return flight contained more than just swag—before the flight, family and friends are given the opportunity to mail letters to a location where they are collected and then delivered to the vets during roll call. My Dad famously threw out most everything, but among his few effects after he died, we found a packet of his Mail Call letters, received on his Honor flight.
26
My sister and I had the privilege of accompanying our father, a WWII Navy vet, on an Honor Flight. It was an incredible experience for us all and our last trip together. My sister was our dad’s escort and I was assigned to Rusty, a gregarious Army vet who kept us all entertained. There was a camaraderie among these men and women (nearly everyone on the flight were WWII vets) - strangers all but with an unbreakable bond of experience. Their sense of pride and a deep love for this country was palpable. You could see the emotions on their faces as memories flooded back. At the Air Force memorial, I escorted a vet pilot. He sat quietly in his wheelchair, attached to oxygen, and when he was ready to return to the bus, he turned to me, nodded and smiled. At the Navy memorial, my dad, sister and I proudly posed for photos that she and I cherish. There was also my dad’s friend Art. A Korean War vet, he decided not to go on the Honor Flight so that a WWII vet could take his spot - a small act of selflessness (he was never able to go on any future flights) that gave us a even deeper appreciation of the selflessness and sacrifice of our vets.
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My late father was a WWII veteran and was able to go on an honor flight several years before his death at the age of 93. He was thrilled when he returned and said it was one of the best days of his life. It is not only being with peers and seeing the monument but also the many accolades he received that day from complete strangers expressing their appreciation.
We donate to this incredibly worthy organization every year in his name.
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What a wonderful idea and truly wonderful story.
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