Illinois veterans tour D.C. war memorials with Honor Flight

By WSAW-TV
Caitrin Assaf

For 20 years, veterans across the U.S. have been offered an all-expense paid trip to Washington to tour the nation’s war memorials.

They’re called Honor Flights: a way to thank those who served and remember those who never made it home.

The latest Honor Flight to touch down in D.C. came from the Great River branch, with the entire group of 30 veterans calling Adams County, Ill. home. While the men varied in age and branches served, all were veterans of the Vietnam and Gulf War eras; something that made the visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial all the more special.

Gary Allen was one of those first-time visitors, a Vietnam War veteran himself.

“I lost several relatives in the Vietnam War and friends,” Allen said, ”so I’ve been so looking forward to getting to this.”

Specifically, Allen was looking for a name: Johnnie W. Ator, a close friend who was also engaged to Allen’s first cousin. He died during the war, and the loss is something Allen will never forget.

“You know, we look at [the wall] and I keep saying, ‘Why?,’” said Allen, getting emotional. ”I can’t express it. I wish I could.”