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Honor Flight is an organization that flies WWII vets to DC to see the memorial and tour the city at no cost to them. They fly 2 to 3 times a year and have a waiting list of about 400 men and women.
I recieved an email back in January about a lunch that was being hosted by the Tucson chapter of the Honor Flight asking for volunteers. I stepped up to the plate not knowing what to expect. Boy, was I in for a surprise.
When I arrived there were about 30 other Airmen and Soldiers there waiting for directions. We were briefed that the vets needed to be escorted from the front of Pima Air and Space Meuseum to their seats. When they got out of their vehicle at the drop off point they would be escorted through a "sabre sword arch" and then to their table,
I escorted at least 20 vets through the arch and it was great to see these folks smile ear to ear, some were hunched over and work with age and suddenly straightened up and walked with grace through the arch.
There were about 100 vets in all plus their guests. About 400 people in all. Once everyone was seated A uniformed member sat at the table with these folks and chatted it up, got them lunch and drinks and helped them out when needed. There was a bunch of pomp and circumstance then lunch. Afterwards all the uniformed memebrs were instructed to deliver a "challenge coin" to the vets. All the vets got one as their name was called we took it to them. When I retuned to my seat there was a surprise for me, the old guys at the table had a coin for me and presented it to me and shook my hand and thanked me. I found that funny, thanking me for what? I have endured nothing that could ever remotely compare to what you guys have been through. One of them was an operations officer for the Berlin Air Lift, the other a Naval medic who spent the was Island hopping in the south Pacific with the Marines and the other spent the war patrolling the North Atlantic. Heros in every sense of the word.
I had my picture taken so many times that day it was absurd. At my table I intorduced myself as Joe, but was called "Sarge" for the remainder of the day. This was a truly humbling experience. I met so many amazing men and women and heard so many stories that I didnt want the day to end.
I didnt have time to take a bunch of pic's but did snap off a couple.
This Sailor was in the Pacific theater and is wearing the same uniform he did during WWII.
This is where the event was held.
I recieved an email back in January about a lunch that was being hosted by the Tucson chapter of the Honor Flight asking for volunteers. I stepped up to the plate not knowing what to expect. Boy, was I in for a surprise.
When I arrived there were about 30 other Airmen and Soldiers there waiting for directions. We were briefed that the vets needed to be escorted from the front of Pima Air and Space Meuseum to their seats. When they got out of their vehicle at the drop off point they would be escorted through a "sabre sword arch" and then to their table,
I escorted at least 20 vets through the arch and it was great to see these folks smile ear to ear, some were hunched over and work with age and suddenly straightened up and walked with grace through the arch.
There were about 100 vets in all plus their guests. About 400 people in all. Once everyone was seated A uniformed member sat at the table with these folks and chatted it up, got them lunch and drinks and helped them out when needed. There was a bunch of pomp and circumstance then lunch. Afterwards all the uniformed memebrs were instructed to deliver a "challenge coin" to the vets. All the vets got one as their name was called we took it to them. When I retuned to my seat there was a surprise for me, the old guys at the table had a coin for me and presented it to me and shook my hand and thanked me. I found that funny, thanking me for what? I have endured nothing that could ever remotely compare to what you guys have been through. One of them was an operations officer for the Berlin Air Lift, the other a Naval medic who spent the was Island hopping in the south Pacific with the Marines and the other spent the war patrolling the North Atlantic. Heros in every sense of the word.
I had my picture taken so many times that day it was absurd. At my table I intorduced myself as Joe, but was called "Sarge" for the remainder of the day. This was a truly humbling experience. I met so many amazing men and women and heard so many stories that I didnt want the day to end.
I didnt have time to take a bunch of pic's but did snap off a couple.
This Sailor was in the Pacific theater and is wearing the same uniform he did during WWII.
This is where the event was held.
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