Veteran: One who wrote a blank check to Uncle Sam for up to and including their life.
—
Veteran’s Day will never mean the same thing to me again. It will actually mean something. Growing up, it was a bank holiday, sometimes a school holiday, and a shopping holiday.
Even though my dad served in the Army, I had no emotional connection to Veterans. I didn’t attend parades or know much about what military service meant. I grew up mostly in peacetime. My first exposure to the military was during the Vietnam War when my mother’s soap operas were pre-empted by news coverage. It was a war many didn’t understand and as a young girl, I didn’t either.
A few months ago, that all changed. I had the honor of being a Guardian on an Honor Flight, an incredible organization that takes Veterans at no cost to them, to Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials. Honor Flight of Central Florida, the local Hub where I live, is one of 150 Hubs throughout the country that make Veterans a priority.
There are over 600 Veterans from World War II that die every day.
|
Honor Flight was started in 2004 after completion of the WWII memorial, 60 years after the end of WWII. It was a labor of love by a few private pilots in Springfield, Ohio to honor the Vets in their community; giving them the opportunity to review and reflect at their memorials. Twelve Veterans made the initial trip.
There are over 600 Veterans from World War II that die every day. They along with terminally ill Veterans are at the top of the list to participate in an Honor Flight. The most senior go first; World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War Veterans are selected from the applications that are received. It’s no surprise that with so many people retiring to Florida, it ranks number one as the state with the highest concentration of WWII Veterans. Arizona is ranked second.
Before the Veterans head to Washington D.C., they attend an orientation to meet the Guardians who will accompany them; one Guardian assigned to each Veteran. A medical team checks out each Veteran, assessing their needs for the trip. Although we will fly up and back on the same day, the Vets are asked to bring three days of medicine with them, in the case of weather or other delays. We had it easy. Honor Flights from the furthest Hub in Alaska take three days!
Honor is way overdue. Many soldiers were just expected to hang their uniforms in the closet when they returned from serving our country.
|
Ed Riordan, Director of Honor Flight of Central Florida was 17 when his father served in WWII. Even though his dad was never able to visit the WWII Memorial, he honors him on every trip. “Honor,” he said, “is way overdue. Many soldiers were just expected to hang their uniforms in the closet when they returned from serving our country.”
On trip day, Guardians arrive at the airport ahead of their Veterans. We are instructed not to leave their side at any time. The day is about them, not us. That meant arrival at 4:00 am at Orlando International Airport. The Vets began arriving soon after and by 5:00 am, everyone was gathered. Honor Flight of Central Florida provides wheelchairs for all who need them, they are loaded onto the planes and busses along the way. The organization and care of details were impressive! TSA set up a special area to expedite check in and get us easily out to the gate where breakfast was waiting. And when we boarded the plane a Color Guard comprised of TSA agents sent us off.
Emotions were high as we flew into Baltimore and boarded busses that took us into the Capital. Each bus held 50 Veterans, 50 Guardians, as well as Honor Flight staff and two paramedics. The memorials were amazing, especially for those Veterans who had never seen them. What stood out for me were the crowds that greeted us at every stop; servicemen and women in the Baltimore airport, Honor Flight volunteers at WWII Memorial, Congressmen, and Senators (Senator Bob Dole, a WWII Vet himself, now age 92, sits in a chair to greet the vets.) “Thank you for your service,” echoed all around us.
The drive through Arlington Cemetary was somber, Vets recognizing the sacrifices of their brothers and sisters in arms as we headed for the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The weather had been overcast all morning and as we lined up, Vets in wheelchairs, Guardians and staff behind them, the skies opened up. Guardians quickly pulled out the ponchos Honor Flight supplied and not one complaint was heard. It was an honor to stand behind them.
We visited the Vietnam, Korean, Air Force and Women’s Memorials, each moving, each emotional, each necessary. Six other Honor Flights from across the country also were in DC that day, and there was immediate camaraderie among the different groups.
The Veterans were treated like royalty. One of the highlights everyone got a big kick out of was the police escort, requiring local drivers to pull over as our VIP busses were given the right of way with lights flashing on the escort vehicles.
We can’t all be heroes because some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they walk by.
|
Arriving home at the airport, tired and energized at the same time, we were overwhelmed by the crowds of hundreds of local residents greeting us to welcome the Vets home, waving flags and holding signs, reaching out to shake their hands and thank them for their service. Will Rogers coined a phrase which has since become Honor Flight’s Motto: We can’t all be heroes because some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they walk by. I know I was emotional, the Veterans, understandably even more so!
◊♦◊
Honor Flight reaches out to the community to find and honor our Veterans by visiting retirement facilities, retired veteran organizations such as the Warrant Officers Association, churches, and other senior groups. They also participates in community activities such as parades, exhibits, as well as sharing information about their program on radio and television.
Although Guardians pay to participate in Honor Flight, the non-profit organization relies on donations to cover costs, including food, shirts, ponchos, name tags, transportation, etc.
Participating in such a powerful cause has given me an appreciation for our military and Veterans. I think that in some way, being a Guardian honored my dad as well.
◊♦◊
Photos:/Ron Buteau – Honor Flight of Central Florida