WWII Honor Flight Veteran

This special day was like two days rolled into one with more excitement than most people ever have and my 90 year old father handled it all with a hugh smile, boundless energy, enthusiasm and grace.

Honor Flights give WWII veterans a roundtrip day tour of our nation's capital, visiting their war memorials, giving them honor and thanks every step of the whole day. I have always been proud to be an American and this day I had the chance to honor my father and Veterans in a memorable way. These veterans were a part of the Greatest Generation and it was called that for a good reason. They answered a call to serve our country because they had a powerful virtue of duty and honor. They helped stop the evil forces of tyranny and oppression for our country and of the whole world. They left behind family and friends, and went off to lands that they had never stepped a foot on' to defend the their ideals. They fought and won for the cause of liberty and freedom. The very freedom that we enjoy today is because of men and women who selflessly served in our Armed Forces during World War II. They helped protect our values and the American way of life and gave a brighter future to millions in the world. There was a price for that and they paid it long ago for taking a step forward when others took a step back.

Even though our government was shutdown, our first amendment gave these Veterans the right to visit their monuments except for the Iwo Jima Memorial. Visitors were strongly advised to stay away as the Honor Flight leaders were not sure of what reception anyone was going to have. My Son, his wife, and newborn, Gavin, braved it anyway. They arrived at the WWII War Memorial and made it through the barricade without anyone stopping them to surprise my Father. The joy on my Father's face when he saw his Great-grandson for the first time was priceless.

For this one day hundreds of volunteers took the time to organize an event that honored 80 WWII Veterans. They gave them the thanks that they deserved and also gave them a Welcome Home reception that was the highlight of the day. As these very tired Veterans (and guardians) stepped off the plane at 9:00 last night, they each were handed a pack of letters from family, friends, school children, and grateful Americans expressing their deep thanks and appreciation for their service. Then a big band played their service songs and hundreds of service men and women, family and friends gave them the biggest welcome home that brought tears to everyone's eyes. As I escorted my father down the hall of the airport, he stopped to shake everyone hands and they gave him hugs, words of thanks and smiles that were heartwarming. I tried to take photos as we went along this long party parade for him. It was overwhelming. My words and my photos do not do justice to the emotion of the moment. If you care to see some more photos of the day I have some on flicker.
Someday soon, I hope, life will slow down a bit for me and I will be back to seeing your journals and enjoying them.