In the early hours of Tuesday, August 30, 4:15 AM to be precise - 04:15 in military time - Honor Flight Mission Number 62 took off from Abraham Lincoln airport in Springfield, Illinois, destination Washington D.C.
On board were 96 veterans, one from World War II, two from Korea, and 93 from the Vietnam Era, along with 82 guardians. Among them were Alton’s most famous morning exercisers, Debbie Schuneman and her walking-talking buddy Margaret Hopkins. Their adventure, while twice delayed, was certainly most excellent.
Honor Flights USA is an organization founded in 2005, initially to provide a means for the dwindling population of World War II veterans to be flown to Washington for an all-expense paid day of viewing the Monuments, especially the new WWII monument. Since its inception, over 250,000 vets and almost 200,000 guardians have experienced the whirl wind day of site seeing and reverent remembrance. As time went by, as the Greatest Generation passed on, the boys of Korea and Vietnam took their place.
Our Alton guardians had four veterans in their charge: Jon Fix, Gary Fortschneider, Joe Revelle, Jr, and Bernie Snyders, all Vietnam vets from Brussels and Worden, Illinois.
Upon touch down in D.C., the trip began in earnest.
The World War II monument, with all its fresh grandeur, the iconic Lincoln Memorial, the eerie realism of the Korean patrol in the rain, the tender mercies of the Vietnam nurses, as well as the most famous two of all, the flag raising Marines and the heroic names on the Vietnam wall, all taken in on one fast paced day.
With bus transport, the Air and Space museum - featuring the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the bomb which ended World War II, piloted by Western Military grad Paul Tibbets, and the newest, the Air Force Museum, were also on the agenda. As day ended, in the mist of a late summer day shower, the silent honors of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier brought a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.
Back on board, headed back to Springfield. As the plane climbed into its flight pattern, the lights of D.C. glowed below for all to appreciate, newcomer and frequent visitor alike.
On the overhead, the sounds of Lee Greenwood’s “I‘m proud to be an American.” Not a dry eye in the house.
But more was to come. A “Mail Call,” letters written to each honored veteran by friends and family. But the best was saved for last. At the airport, upon arrival, greeted by hundreds of grateful patriots, coming out to thank all aboard for their service. A touching welcome home, especially for the Vietnam era vets, as they were so shamelessly forgotten.
Perhaps it is an after effect from September 11th, but respect for Veterans is thankfully now back in style. I am so very proud of Margaret and all those with her, for the flags on Henry Street, the Honor Flight and of course, being the guiding light for the Wreaths Across America every December. I am content to be basking in the glow of her shining sun. As Will Rogers once said, “We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap."
It is a good thing when individuals or even better, society recognizes that a wrong was done, then takes steps to make it right. One long overdue now being addressed is the way American veterans were treated during the Vietnam war era.
Whether for or against, hawk or dove, mistakes were made in transferring the opposition to a war to scorn for the warrior.
I have heard the sad complaints of Vietnam era vets on how poorly they were treated upon their return from service. It was a national disgrace, for which blanket apologies are owed. It is well and good to note that at least now, veterans are in favor again, receiving a long overdue and heartfelt round of applause.
No better example of the change for the better exists than the Land of Lincoln Honor Fights. They operate only from donations.
To send a contribution, go to www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org. It is a well-placed use of your treasures. Be not afraid.