Category Archives: Honor Flight

Honorflight images and stories

Honor Flight Chicago Celebrates it’s 50th Flight

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On Wednesday 07 August, Honor Flight Chicago brought WWII veterans to Washington, DC. This was the 50th time they made this trip. So far over 4000 WWII as well as some Korea and Vietnam veterans have been treated to a day touring their war memorials. This service is provided at no cost to the veterans. All expenses are covered through donations and fundraising by the local hub (Honor Flight Chicago).

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A short service is held during the visit to the WW II memorial. A multi-service military honor guard presents the colors and taps is played.

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The Korea, Vietnam and Lincoln memorials are also on the schedule of stops. A visit to the Udvar Hazy Air and Space museum completes the tour. The museum holds a special interest for many of the veterans. Here they can see once again many of the aircraft they had become familiar with during their service.

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Each veteran is assigned a Guardian – a volunteer – who accompanies him/her throughout the day. The Guardian ensures the veteran is well taken care of and helps to make the day as enjoyable and meaningful as possible.

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At the end of the day, in the Dulles airport local swing dancers often provide entertainment while the veterans are waiting for the departure flight. You might think after a full day of flying and touring, the veterans would be dozing off. While some might, others are taking advantage of the opportunity to show off their moves on the dance floor.

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The smiles on the faces of both veterans and volunteers marks the end of another successful Honor Flight.

Another Honor Flight

On Saturday 13 October, the Honor Flight Network and U.S. Airways brought another group of WW II vets to Washington, DC. This group of vets arrived from Wisconsin. After spending the day touring the monuments and memorials in and around Washington, the Vets and Guardians returned to Ronald Reagan airport for the flight home. As an added bonus, volunteers often entertain the troops while they await their return flight. For this flight, the Radio King Orchestra’s PinCurl Girls – performing in the style of the Andrews Sisters – provided the entertainment. Click HERE for more Badger Honor Flight images.

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A brave soldier!

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On Wednesday morning, Southwest airlines once again delivered a plane full of World War II vets to Dulles airport. It was the beginning of a day long tour to visit the WWII memorial and other DC sights. The Honor Flight Network (http://www.honorflight.org/) sponsors these trips so that WWII vets may see their memorial at no charge to them. Many people and organizations volunteer their time and resources to assist with the visits. I am happy to be a part of a swing dance organization which entertains the troops as they are waiting for their departure back home. If the expressions on these vets faces is any indication, they enjoy it, too.