Highlights from our 108th flight

2023-06-25T21:39:42-05:00

HFC108 on Flag Day featured 119 veterans traveling to Washington, D.C., matching the most heroes Honor Flight Chicago has transported on a single flight. Eight Korean War, one Korean and Vietnam War, and 110 Vietnam War veterans comprised that total.

Highlights from our 108th flight2023-06-25T21:39:42-05:00

Donald Strauss: A Vietnam Journey

2023-06-20T10:00:53-05:00

If you admire people with a strong work ethic, you’ll want to help celebrate Donald “Don” Strauss when he joins Honor Flight Chicago’s 108th flight on June 14.

Donald Strauss: A Vietnam Journey2023-06-20T10:00:53-05:00

Russell Caforio: A surprising draft

2023-06-20T09:57:53-05:00

Heading into the physical, Russ did not have much stress as he was currently carrying a 4F from his bad knee and now having a compression fracture vertebrae, there was no way he would be called to serve, or so he thought.

Russell Caforio: A surprising draft2023-06-20T09:57:53-05:00

Kent Nylander: From Sailing the Great Lakes to Sailing the Pacific

2023-06-12T14:52:02-05:00

Kent's father was a professor in foreign languages and his mother a librarian.  His older brother retired as a Colonel in the Air Force and one of his younger brothers also was an Officer in the US Air Force.  Thus, military life was not foreign to Kent.

Kent Nylander: From Sailing the Great Lakes to Sailing the Pacific2023-06-12T14:52:02-05:00

Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Holmes: From Wire Reels to High Heels

2023-06-12T14:41:36-05:00

Nate Holmes grew up in a rough neighborhood on the West side of Chicago with six sisters and one brother. Nate had a step-brother who was serving in the Army in Vietnam and saw news coverage of the war and wondered if he too could fight for his country like his step-brother.

Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Holmes: From Wire Reels to High Heels2023-06-12T14:41:36-05:00

Roger Hoffman: A Survival Specialist

2023-06-12T13:50:51-05:00

Roger Hoffman was born in Chicago in 1950, the son of a World War II Navy veteran. His father served on the destroyer USS Sterett and survived a kamikaze attack on his ship during the Battle of Okinawa. Twenty-seven years later, Roger would also serve his country on Okinawa.

Roger Hoffman: A Survival Specialist2023-06-12T13:50:51-05:00

Edward Cook: Special Category Army with Air Force

2023-06-12T14:32:56-05:00

Edward Cook’s pending draft and love of planes led him to enlist in the Air Force as his first choice in 1952.  He had also hoped to learn a trade while serving his country and applied for Army machinist school.  

Edward Cook: Special Category Army with Air Force2023-06-12T14:32:56-05:00

Willie Smith: Survival is the most important thing

2023-06-12T14:32:42-05:00

Vietnam wasn’t really on his mind when Willie Floyd Smith decided to join the Army in 1966. Just a few months before, the 173rd Airborne Brigade had become the first US Army unit sent to South Vietnam. Willie was shipped to Vietnam in March of 1967.

Willie Smith: Survival is the most important thing2023-06-12T14:32:42-05:00

Thomas ‘Lucky’ Honzik: Three decades of service

2023-06-12T19:41:25-05:00

Tom's interest in military life started young and led to more than three decades of service. His passion for adventure, airplanes, travel, an infectious sense of humor, and dedication to service led him down an interesting path in the military that deserves both our appreciation and gratitude.

Thomas ‘Lucky’ Honzik: Three decades of service2023-06-12T19:41:25-05:00
Go to Top