Category: Recent News
Selfless Among Us: How Tom Petrie Honors Heroes, One Flight at a Time
2 WGRZ
Melissa Holmes
BUFFALO, N.Y. — On Father’s Day weekend in 2013, Tom Petrie thought he was simply going to the airport to support a good cause. His daughter Heather had invited him to greet a group of veterans returning from an Honor Flight—part of a national network of flights that brings aging veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor.
He had no idea that visit would change the course of his life.
“I was all in,” he recalls of that first experience. “Once I saw them come home, the expressions on their faces, the welcome home they got—it touched my heart in a way I hadn’t expected.”
That heartfelt spark grew into a decade-long commitment. Today, Petrie serves as the volunteer President of the Board of Directors for Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight, a nonprofit hub in a national network that has transported over 100,000 veterans to Washington. Under Tom’s leadership, the Buffalo Niagara chapter alone has flown more than 1,000 local veterans to their long-overdue recognition.
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.
Stewartville hosts breakfast to help fund upcoming Honor Flight for area vets
ABC 6 News
Alexander Schmidt
(ABC 6 News) – Stewartville’s American Legion Post 164’s Auxiliary held its annual egg bake breakfast to great success on Sunday, serving more than 200 people.
This year, the event raised more than $2,600 to offset costs related to an upcoming charter flight that will carry dozens of Korean and Vietnam-era vets to visit national war memorials and cemeteries in Washington, D.C.
“It’s an experience all veterans should take advantage of,” said North Star board member Jamie Stevenson. “These monuments are built for them, and we’re happy to provide this service to them.”
WWII veteran surprised with Honor Flight trip for 100th birthday
WPRI.com
By Sarah Bawden, Mike Montecalvo
BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) — William Barbeau will be celebrating a major milestone this Saint Patrick’s Day. Barbeau, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II, is turning 100 years old. His secret to living a long life is simple. Barbeau told 12 News he doesn’t drink or smoke and keeps himself active. He has also been playing the clarinet since he was 12 years old.
“I’ve been through a lot of them,” the longtime Barrington resident said, referring to his clarinets over the years. “It’s a very delicate instrument and you have to treat it right.”
KVUE ABC
Bob Garcia-Buckalew
AUSTIN, Texas — Editor’s Note: KVUE is kicking off a new partnership with Honor Flight Austin. The organization takes military veterans on special trips to Washington D.C.
For many of them, it’s the first or *only* time they’re able to visit the memorials honoring those who died in the wars in which they served. We’ve covered news about Honor Flight for years and we’re adding to that: A commitment to bringing you the stories of the heroes among us and helping to raise money to support more flights.
This month, we tell the story of Lew Griffith, who’s been on two Honor Flight missions.
Johnston Sun Rise
Scouts from Scouting America Troop 20 Johnston recently had the honor of meeting with veterans from the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub during one of their pre-flight meetings. This organization is dedicated to honoring veterans by providing them with no-cost trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
Since its recognition as an official hub of the Honor Flight Network in 2012, the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub has conducted 30 Honor Flights, transporting over 925 World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans. The next scheduled Honor Flight is set for March 30, and is currently fully booked. Another flight is planned for the fall of 2025, with applications now being accepted.
Show off your classic ride at next month’s Villages Honor Flight Car Show
Villages-News.com
Jordyn Pennington
The second-annual Villages Honor Flight Car Show will be held rain or shine at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Rd., on Saturday, March 22.
Participants are invited to bring their new or old cars and pickup trucks for the show, which acts as a fundraiser for the Villages Honor Flight Club, a non-profit organization honoring veterans. Food trucks will be on site along with a 50/50 and a patriotic quilt raffle. Gates open at 9 a.m. with the show being from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trophies will be presented at 12:30 p.m.
Pre-registration donations of $15 are due by March 15, and they will be $20 the day of the show. Make checks payable to “Villages Honor Flight.” Note “For Car Show” in the memo and on the envelope. Send it to Villages Honor Flight, Inc., P.O. Box 490, Lady Lake, FL 32158.
Presidential Monuments honor the legacies of America’s leaders
Local News Live
Rhyan Henson & Leah Vredenbregt
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Tributes to our nation’s leaders make up the iconic skyline and character of Washington D.C.
The Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and the Washington Monument are some of the most famous presidential monuments. But lesser-known presidential memorials are also hiding in plain sight.
Tucked away on the southwest side of the Tidal Basin, feet from the Lincoln Memorial is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. President Rosevelt is credited with overhauling the United States Government and pulling the country out of the Great Depression.
On the other end of the National Mall, two Presidents stand in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol. President Ulysses S. Grant sits on a horse looking west above a monument honoring his major role in the Civil War.