An Honor Flight’s Return
June 23, 2010
The Honor Flight Chicago flight returns are set
To be a fitting climax they will not forget.
A sea of people, Honor Guards, displaying praise,
Each one a gesture from the heart in many ways.
But on the 23rd of June, 2010,
The spirit of America came through again.
Because of massive storms, the flight had been delayed,
Two hours worth, or more, the death of best plans made.
These veterans would never know what had been planned.
There was no way to tell them, let them understand
How people volunteered to come, to shout and cheer,
To give their day a rousing finish, make it clear.
The volunteers who knew the routine shook their heads;
At least, they’re safely home, soon safely in their beds.
But wait! WHAT’S THIS? The sound of cheering swells,
The Honor Guard, the flags, are proof that Freedom dwells.
At least one thousand strong, the people are still there!
There cannot be a better way to show they care.
They came with one set purpose, that to show their pride,
But what they really showed was what they were inside.
Thank you, America!
R. Williams,
Honor Flight Chicago Veteran and HFC Poet Laureate
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
Honor Flight Praising
The Honor Flight Chicago troupe are people you should know,
Their dedication, as a group, will make your senses glow.
They’ve taken on themselves a task not many would even try,
But they will tell you, should you ask, the very reason why.
The veterans of World War II are swiftly dying out,
They think that plaudits now are due, which avidly they tout.
They take these veterans, scot-free, to Washington, no less,
For their Memorial to see, sans fan-fare, ads, or Press.
Now, though you may applaud their goal—not leaving one behind—
Both time and money take a toll—the latter tough to find.
So they are always searching for a new financial source;
Because each trip takes more and more expenditures in force.
Is this a hint? You bet it is! This isn’t just some lip.
You’ll find that you are in a whiz-bang, monumental trip!
R. Williams,
Honor Flight Chicago Veteran and HFC Poet Laureate
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
A Flight to Remember
Tears of Joy
We are now getting into the swing of the new season, and last week we had a really great flight!
There were 81 wonderful World War II veterans on the flight and we were pleased that it included five female veterans: 2 Navy, 2 Army, and 1 Marine. The day was long, but that meant little to the veterans — when greeted by the crowd at the Welcome Home celebration, one even danced along the corridor. Here’s what a few had to say about the day:
“It was the best day of my life.” – Lou N.
“Absolutely outstanding.” – Pete P.
“What a day — I can’t believe it! It was super.” – Jack K.
“I was completely overwhelmed. I didn’t know there was so much love in the world.” – Phil M.
“Everything was so wonderful and great. I want to thank all the volunteers who organized this. It was so amazing, I was in tears.” – Don M.
In just two short years, we’ve doubled our number of flights for World War II Veterans to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C. and experience their well deserved day of recognition. Last week’s flight, however, was just the beginning.
Honor Flight Chicago has taken over 1,100 veterans to Washington so far, but it is estimated that there are 25,000 World War II veterans in the Chicagoland area — and we want to see each and every one receive their day of honor! There are nine more flights scheduled, but not all are funded as of yet. It costs approximately $500 per veteran for the flight, so you can see we have an ambitious goal. Please consider donating to Honor Flight Chicago so that we may send every World War II veteran to Washington before it’s too late.
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
April 21st is the Day!
The time has come — Honor Flight Chicago will be kicking off flight season with our first flight of the year on April 21. We currently have 10 flights scheduled for a 29-week period! We’re so excited that another year is upon us.
At Honor Flight Chicago, we’re anxious to get started with flights again so that we can honor more of our heroes. We want to take as many veterans as possible to Washington, D.C. to see the memorial built in their honor.
Unfortunately, the sense of urgency is getting these veterans to their memorial continues to grow. Honor Flight Chicago currently has over 1,200 veterans on our waiting list, and our goal is to get as many of them as possible to Washington while they are still able to do so.
Making these flights happen requires the support of many people — donors and volunteers alike. We need to raise the funds to make the flights possible and need the volunteers to help make them happen.
One way to show your support for our heroes is to come out for the Welcome Home celebration. Honor Flight Chicago enlists hundreds of volunteers to come to Midway Airport to greet the veterans as they return home from their day in Washington, D.C.
Please join us on April 21st for our first Welcome Home celebration of the year! All you have to do is meet at the baggage claim area at Midway Airport. Their flight arrives at 8:30 p.m., but we ask that volunteers arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the flight’s arrival. We hope to see you on April 21st so that you can help make the Welcome Home the memorable celebration that the veterans have been awaiting for more than 60 years.
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
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Amazing Volunteers: Ryan Mahoney
Honor Flight Chicago is privileged to have some pretty amazing volunteers. One of those is Ryan Mahoney, a social studies teacher at Independence Jr. High School in Palos Heights.
Here’s his story of how he became involved with our organization:
“A few years ago I was researching charitable organizations for my basketball team to become involved with and happened upon Honor Flight Chicago. I was hooked immediately.
I am honored to be able to be a small part of Honor Flight Chicago. Not only did my father and I begin volunteering, the Independence basketball team raised almost $10,000 for Honor Flight.
The Welcome Home celebrations are amazing, but my favorite part is seeing the excitement on the faces of the vets the morning of the flights. Only special people can be that happy and excited at that hour of the morning!
Volunteering with Honor Flight Chicago is, to me, a way to say thanks to the men and women who sacrificed so much for us. I feel like it helps me connect with my father, Mike, a proud Navy veteran as well as remember my Uncle James, a World War II Naval Aviator.”
Ryan is not only a valued member of the Honor Flight Chicago team — he was recently recognized as the Illinois VFW Teacher of the Year 6-8th Grade. This award was even more special to Ryan because it was from the VFW. As he said, “To receive an award from true heroes is more than I could have hoped for.”
The photo shows Ryan receiving his award from VFW state commander Jules Spindler at an assembly held at his school on February 24th.
Congratulations Ryan — Honor Flight Chicago is proud of you!
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
USO at Midway – Always there for our Veterans
Most people are familiar with what the USO does for active duty service personnel and their families. Their mission to provide morale, welfare, and recreation has been made famous by their USO shows to entertain troops, from Bing Crosby to Stephen Colbert, Judy Garland to Carrie Underwood, and, of course, Bob Hope.
Yet, few people know this incredible organization also supports Honor Flight Chicago.
Every flight day, from start to finish, USO at Midway volunteers and staff are an integral part to the day’s activities at the airport. From assisting with the logistics of escorting veterans to the gate to providing them with refreshments before departure, the USO at Midway lends a helping hand from the moment the first veteran arrives at the airport until the plane takes off for Washington.
As the veterans enjoy their day at their memorial (where the USO is present to help out as well), the USO at Midway helps in the preparations for the Welcome Home ceremony. As people begin to arrive to cheer the veterans for the Welcome Home, the USO at Midway is there to assist, doing whatever it takes to help get everything ready for the magic moment that first veteran steps off of the plane.
In short, the USO at Midway helps ensure everything goes smoothly with all the festivities at the airport.
Honor Flight Chicago truly appreciates all the hard work the USO at Midway organization does for our veterans, as they ensure our veterans are recognized for all they gave to their country and work with us to show our appreciation to them with a day of remembrance and honor.
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
HBO Helps Honor Flight Honor Veterans
The Pacific. There has been a lot of press recently about the dynamic new 10-part mini-series HBO started airing last Sunday. The series focuses on Marines fighting in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Last week, HBO brought 250 World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. for a special ceremony at the World War II memorial and a screening of the first episode of the series. Ceremony highlights included speeches by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, who are executive producers of the series, and Senator Elizabeth Dole, who spoke on behalf of the Honor Flight Network. It was a whirlwind three-day trip – in addition to the ceremony at the WWII memorial and the screening, a banquet was held to honor the veterans, and tours of various memorials and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum were included. Many thanks to HBO, American Airlines and Marriott Hotels for sponsoring this trip.
Honor Flight Chicago guardians had the privilege of accompanying 35 Chicago veterans on this extra special trip to the memorial. One said it was an experience that will never be forgotten. Spending three days with these heroes, watching them interacting and sharing experiences with other veterans from around the country, and hearing the stories of those experiences during the war gives a new insight into exactly what the war was about and an even greater appreciation for what they did to ensure our freedom.
Honor Flight Chicago received a letter of thanks from one of the World War II veterans which summed it up pretty well:
“Should I thank you for all the ‘hoopla,’ entertainment, long lines of hand shakers and well wishers, and pampering at the airports, and all through the trip?
Or the lavish room, food and service at the Marriott?
The grand tours and visits to the many memorials and monuments?
Or the super-friendly flight personnel?
The touching ceremony and speeches of praise for vets at the WWII memorial?
Or the chance to mix with dignitaries such as Dole, Hanks and Spielberg?
For the excellent bus driver?
Or God’s help with the weather?”
No, you should not thank us — we should thank you for all you have done for this country with your service and your dedication to the cause of freedom. We should thank you for being one of the Greatest Generation, one of those who served without question and did the job that needed to be done. Thank you!
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
What Makes Honor Flight Chicago Run?
The military could not run without people helping everywhere – from the front lines to the mess halls to recruiting back home – and neither could Honor Flight Chicago.
There are a lot of pieces that come together to make Honor Flight Chicago successful in honoring our World War II veterans by enabling them to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C. Without each of these pieces, we could not make it work.
One of the major factors in making everything work are the great volunteers who step up to do everything from A to Z. Honor Flight Chicago has zero paid employees, which enables us to use our funds to send more veterans to Washington, rather than paying salaries. We are fortunate to have a very dedicated, adaptable corps of volunteers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
We have a variety of committees dedicated to the various components necessary to make things work: Communications, Veterans Outreach, Fundraising, Administration, and Logistics. Check back in the coming weeks as we profile each of these committees on the blog — you never know what you might want to be a part of!
If you are interested in joining the ranks of the Honor Flight Chicago volunteers, please complete the Volunteer Application. We need people with all skills. Not only do we appreciate your help — it is very much appreciated by our veterans! Without the volunteers, Honor Flight Chicago could not be possible.
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
A Brand New Start
R. Williams, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran and HFC Poet Laureate
January is a time of new beginnings when we look forward to the new year stretching before us. It is a time for optimism — the knowledge that we can accomplish much in this bright new year.
Honor Flight Chicago is looking forward to a great year, and we are hopeful that we can accomplish a great deal in our quest to get as many veterans as possible to Washington, D.C. this year to see their memorial. We know that with everyone’s help there is so much we can do. Our New Year’s resolution remains firm!
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
The Weather Outside is Frightful, but the Veterans are so Delightful…
As Washington D.C. was socked with its biggest snowstorm in history, we’re thankful that no Honor Flights were scheduled.
Of course, we purposely avoid travelling in winter weather — what would an Honor Flight be if the flight was snowed out! — but we are grateful to be so very lucky as to have had beautiful weather for many of our days in Washington.
However, even when the weather was inclement in any way, the veterans were totally oblivious to it. A little drizzle here? A chilly wind there? It’s no problem for the veterans. Instead, they are always so moved to see their memorial, remember their past, and reminisce with new friends that they don’t even notice the weather. Any minor weather annoyance becomes such a small part of the day when compared to the enormous magnitude of everything else going on.
These veterans have endured far worse weather during World War II, from the hottest summers to the coldest winters. Weather’s not going to stop a veteran! Though the historic snowstorm may have slowed them had there been an Honor Flight this week, we doubt it would have chilled the emotions of our courageous veterans at their memorial.
So to that, we say, “Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!”
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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
