Category: Latest News
Chance discovery turns into treasured friendship for 2 Utah Honor Flight vets
KSL.com
Mike Anderson
SALT LAKE CITY — Over 70 Utah veterans are in Washington, D.C., for the 50th Utah Honor Flight.
When a unique group of individuals comes together like this, it means that some special stories and friendships develop while visiting historic sites.
“The first Black general?” Jim Hayes asked Merrill Wells, referring to a general they knew while serving.
“Yes,” Wells responded.
“In the United States Army,” Hayes said.
The two veterans were at one of the many historical sites in Washington and talked about how they knew the same people while serving in the Vietnam War, like General Benjamin O. Davis.
Day 2 of Honor Flight makes veterans emotional
Valley News Live
Harrison Pray
WASHINGTON D.C. (Valley News Live) – Former servicemen shared their most personal memories on Monday, April 21.
“It’s real to me. Originally it was North Korea that we were in. It’s just memories,” said Leland Anderson, a veteran who shed a few tears when sharing his time in the military.
While in North Korea, Anderson worked in heavy infantry. He drove anything from Jeeps to 5-ton trucks. He felt very fortunate to be trusted to drive around several high-ranking officers.
For one army veteran, his career will never be forgotten as he was a prisoner for 4 years in the Vietnam War.
“January 14, 1969 I had a bad day. I got into that ambush,” said Gary Guggenberger.
Gary was a 5-ton truck driver. He admits that on that day, he took a bad route as him and his soldiers got ambushed 10 miles north of Saigon, Vietnam.
Local heroes return: Asheville welcomes veterans from Blue Ridge Honor Flight to DC
ABC13 News
Kimberly King
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — More than 350 people gathered at the Asheville airport in a hangar to welcome home 99 veterans who had flown on the Blue Ridge Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on the night of April 19. Despite some delays with the chartered Allegiant plane landing, everyone remained with their flags, banners and welcome home signs. The atmosphere was joyous, and the veterans were extremely appreciative of the warm welcome. Out of the 99 veterans, 88 served in Vietnam, including several women, along with a World War II veteran and Korean War veterans.
Dozens of Central Florida veterans embark on honor flight to DC
Wesh 2
Paola Tristan Arruda
SANFORD, Fla. —
Dozens of Central Florida veterans took a special honor flight to Washington, D.C., organized by Villages Honor Flight.
“I’m here to enjoy the honor flight and go to Washington, D.C., and look up some of my friends on the Vietnam wall,” said Robert Kerfin, an Army veteran.
Roughly 153 passengers, comprised of military veterans, guardians, and staff, boarded an Allegiant flight on Wednesday.
“This is just a wonderful thing to give back to the veterans. I mean, we live in a free country because of our veterans, and that’s the least we can do to give back,” said Bob Siano, Flight Director for this Villages Honor Flight mission.
The oldest passenger on this mission is 93-year-old Richard Schlosser.
“I was in the Air Force from 1950 to 1964, right during the middle of the Korean War. I never had to go to Korea because I was needed in the United States. You only get one shot at this, you know, you get one chance to do it. And I feel like at my age, I better do it now,” said Schlosser, an Air Force veteran.
Military vets fly from Midway to Washington DC in 1st honor flight of season
ABC 7 Chicago
Christian Piekos
CHICAGO (WLS) — The first honor flight of the season took off Wednesday morning at Midway Airport.
A group of veterans will embark on a one-day trip to Washington, D.C.
This is such a special once in a lifetime trip for more than 100 Chicago area veterans from all branches of the military. They’re in Washington D.C. visiting war memorials.
The Star Spangled Banner rang out throughout Midway Airport before dawn as they boarded the plane for this powerful journey.
An emotional send off for 114 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, embarking on the first Honor Flight of the season.
Local 12
WKRC
HEBRON, Ky. (WKRC) – Eighty-eight veterans and their companions flew to Washington, D.C.
They took off from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in the year’s first Honor Flight.
Here’s how to help Southern Nevada veterans on Honor Flight trip
FOX 5 KVVU-TV
FOX5 Staff
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – In just a few weeks, Honor Flight Southern Nevada is heading to Washington D.C. to escort 35 residents on a life-changing trip.
These veterans will be honored for their service, tour war memorials and pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
Those interested could help these vets as they prepare for the trip. Visit this website to learn more.
From transportation to meals, all funds collected will benefit Honor Flight Southern Nevada’s mission to escort veterans to the nation’s capital.
98-year-old Iowa World War II veteran is D.C. bound on honor flight
KCCi Des Moines
Pepper Purpura
DES MOINES, Iowa —
An Iowa World War II veteran will make his first visit to the capitol of the nation he once served.
98-year-old Russell Wright is heading to Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning. He’ll join more than 30 other veterans on an honor flight for three days of touring various monuments, federal buildings and other sights in the city.
Wright is believed to be the last living crew member of the USS Tucson CL-98. His ship spent nearly 60 days off the coast of Japan during his time serving in 1944 and 1945.
Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight seeking women veterans for trip to Washington
OLean Times Herald
Savannah Barr
Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight is looking for sponsors for its first all-female mission.
In October, 40 women veterans and their female caretakers from Western New York and Bradford will land in Washington, D.C. for a two-day trip. The group will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and receive special recognition at the Military Women’s Memorial. They will also visit other memorials and monuments that have been put in place in honor of women veterans.
“We try to do activities that show our respect for them,” said Donna Quigley, treasurer of Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight. “Sometimes we have groups of school children who come out to meet us and shake their hands, things like that.”
Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight hosts three trips a year. Usually, their flights are open to both male and female veterans. But for this trip the organization decided to do something different.
Fundraiser helps Honor Flight reach milestone
KSN 16
McKinzie Payton
JOPLIN, Mo. — A fundraiser for local veterans reaches a major milestone in Joplin this morning. Easterseals Midwest presented a check for nearly $1,900 to three members of the Webb City Elk’s Lodge who are raising money for “Honor Flight of the Ozarks.” Easterseals teaches adults with disabilities the skills they need to live independently and become community leaders.
Adults at Easterseals spent one week collecting donations at Walmart, an energetic fundraiser that involved lots of cheering, line dances, and music. They chose to donate the money to Honor Flight because of their close relationship with the Elks.
“Giving back to our veterans is meaningful for them, and it gives them a sense of purpose. It shows that you know, by giving back they feel a sense of belonging, and it’s just a great responsibility that we all have to give back to our community,” said Tracy Taylor, Easterseals Midwest manager of autism services.