Can I brag a little?

[OrlandoMike]

My 89 year old Grandfather, a veteran of World War 2, was recently awarded a trip to Washington DC as part of the Honor Flight program. The Honor Flight Program is a program set up to get as many WW2 vets to Washington to see the War memorial as they can, at little or no cost to them at all.

My Mom went with him, and here is a little of what she had to say...

The only description I can give of arriving at the WWII Memorial is over whelming. There had to be at least 1200 vets some with their medals on, some with WWII uniforms on, some with only their military hats on. While taking my Dad around to see everything we met so many local Baltimore/Washington, DC residents who just come over every Saturday to shake the vets hands and thank them for their service. One young man had WWII uniform on and was passing out "Kilroy was here" notes LOL. I absolutely in my wildest dreams would never think that so many people would take time out of their lives for a few hours each week to express their gratitude. There were also men who are currently serving the country who also made an effort to talk with the vets.

Both Senator Dole and his wife Elizabeth come each and every Saturday to meet as many veterans as possible. Warned that Elizabeth is a hugger and to enjoy her, but to absolutely not try to shake hands with the Senator. Elizabeth came right up to my Dad and started telling us her brother was on the Saratoga so she has warm feelings for the Navy which my Dad was in.

Here is a pic of my Grandfather and Elizabeth Dole! I am so proud of him!

 

[Gypsybear]

Mike, that's AWESOME!!

Thanks for sharing that story with us...

 

[wallyb]

WOW!
That is Freaking awesome!

 

[OrlandoMike]

More from Mom....I have to find out more about this organization! I'll send cash, or heck, I'll drive three vets up myself if I have to!


http://www.honorflight.org/



Would like to tell you about the group from Rochester, NY. Fourteen months ago a gentleman brought his dad to the Memorial and was so impressed with the program, he went back home and started getting community support for this program. Their group filled up a commercial airplane; local residents were on hand at the airport before they left passing out their shirts (orange); when they return to Rochester their local TV stations will cover this and they will have a band playing at the airport plus active military people welcoming them home. That is what community support can do for this program! How I wish Florida could be that involved.

Instead of eating at the Golden Coral as originally planned, our Saturday evening meal was a banquet with the Rochester group. I was walking through the lobby and a Rochester vet was sitting on the couch (resting I would assume) and I walked over to him and shook his hand, thanked him for his service and asked how he had enjoyed his trip. Those 80-something eyes looked up at me and to me his eyes looked like a little boy on Christmas morning and he said "I just can't believe what they have done for us, it's just amazing". I will never forget that man or the glowing look of happiness on his face.

I was so impressed at the first class treatment we all received and as I said earlier all of this at absolutely no cost to the veteran as Jim McLaughlin the Chairman of Honor Flight says - they have already paid enough. We were given coupons for drinks in the bar, breakfast both Saturday and Sunday, a box lunch on Saturday and the banquet meal on Saturday evening. They run completely on donations. Hopefully I haven't bored you to tears with my trip report, but I was just so touched by this whole experience I wanted to share. More importantly, maybe you know someone else who would like to experience this also. I'm not the greatest photographer, but I have sent along some pictures and when the album comes up if you double click on the first picture, hopefully it will be a slide show.

 

[rosiep]

Here is a pic of my Grandfather and Elizabeth Dole! I am so proud of him!

As well you should be! That's so damn cool!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[APX]

Very lucky to have a grandfather like that. I'm very jealous of you.

 

[avenueqpat]

Very Cool!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

O'Mike, that is incredible. I haven't heard about this before, the sending of Veterans to DC. Thank you for sharing the info with us, but more so thank you for sharing your Grandfather.

If you find out any more about this group that runs on donations only, please tell us? I know I'd be very honored to send a donation.

 

[itsmuggsie]

That's awesome!!! What a great organization.

I was up in DC end of April and the WWII memorial is very impressive.

 

[rpmdfw]

Mike, that's awesome!

Thanks for sharing it.

 

[starann]

Mike, thanks so much for sharing this. My poppop died a few years ago, but I would have LOVED for his to have had a chance like this. Thank you to your grandfather for his service, and thank you for making me think of Poppop tonight (oh I miss him so much!)

 

[Timrobb]

WOW - that is just super. You must be very PROUD!

Thanks for sharing - it made my morning~!!

 

[soulmates]

Mike, what a PROUD moment for you and your family. Thank you SO much for sharing this.

 

[Disney Darling]

Thank you so much for sharing this story!!

This is just awesome!! I'm so glad he was able to go.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I bet you are proud of him! Glad he got to experience this.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Mike, I have tears in my eyes seeing how proud your grandfather looks in the photo and thinking about how much this would have meant to my grandfather had he been able to do something like it in his lifetime. Thank you very much for sharing this with all of us

 

[PghLybrt]

That is so wonderful!

I would love to take my Grandfathers (both are vets), one will not stop talking about the war (but can't travel) and the other has tried to spend his entire life forgetting it (I didnt even know until I was in highschool!).

I think that is a great program!

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

Put me on the list of people who would donate some $$$.

I would love to be at the airport or down in DC too... Not too far away for a drive... That would be such an honor for me (also the granddaughter of a WW2 vet), to honor my grandfathers memory and service.

 

[TimandTanya]

Great story!! They are without a doubt, the greatest generation that has ever lived!! Thank you for sharing that heartfelt story. Please give your grandfather a handshake and an atta-boy from an ex Army guy!!

 

[dustyraye]

What a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us Mike!!