Summer vacation was in full effect last week as we flew 111 senior war heroes (2 WWII, 4 Korean War, and 105 Vietnam War) to Washington, D.C. Not only was it a balmy 96 degrees in our nation’s capital, we had 13 teachers and students serving as Guardians for the inaugural Honor Flight Chicago “Operation Education” mission.
We have for many years endeavored to connect our veteran alumni with students in classrooms around the Chicagoland area to serve as first-person witnesses to history while also teaching our youngest generations about the power of gratitude and respect. During the COVID pandemic, we sought to greatly expand that initiative as a way to continue to spread our mission even with flights grounded.
Thanks to the input and efforts of our committee of educators and our committee of high school students (who are known as Operation C.L.I.M.B.), our outreach and impact in schools has expanded exponentially! We now have hundreds and hundreds of partner schools and organizations that participate in some aspect of Operation Education.
Last week was a way for us to spotlight those efforts to keep the momentum going. In addition to our teachers and students serving as Guardians, we had NJROTC and SeaScouts play roles at Welcome Home, and had student interns from the Navy Memorial work tirelessly in Washington, D.C., to ensure a successful trip.
We thank our teachers and students for their work in honoring veterans year round, and especially in ensuring our 111 HFC103 veterans had a life-changing day of honor, thanks, and inspiration.
Just three more flights are left in 2022! We’ll see you next month.
Edna Ho and Doug Meffley
Directors, Honor Flight Chicago
“I know all the Veterans really appreciate the efforts of the HFC volunteers. Without you and your teams, none of this happens in any way, shape or form! Your ongoing efforts keep America inspired to be great!”
— Vietnam Veteran Larry Forsberg
“I would like you to know that the most enjoyable part of the trip was being able to spend the day with other veterans who have had similar experiences. Also being with an excellent guardian and all the other volunteers working together to show appreciation for what the veterans were willing to do for our country.”
— Vietnam Veteran Tom Greenacre
“Thank you to all the HFC volunteers! Magnificent job, very well executed, well appreciated.”
— Vietnam Veteran Christopher Mead
“There are not enough words to say how much I appreciated what you and the organization did for all of us. You made our day special but we owe all of you a thanks because it would never have happened if not for all of your dedication to the program. The return home was more than any one of us expected to see family and friends waiting to greet us home. Amazing how you kept it a secret. Again thanks to you and the organization and your dedication honoring us Veterans.”
— Vietnam Veteran Jim Meier
“I would like to thank you for the excellent job on arranging this trip to Washington D.C. It was AWESOME!!! From beginning to end the volunteers, guardians, military personnel, band and bagpipers and all the others who took part in making this an event of a lifetime were outstanding. Everyone certainly went above and beyond to make this trip a memory of a lifetime for all the veterans. Again, THANK YOU for all your hard work and your fellow volunteers for this memorable event.”
— Vietnam Veteran Denny Schuller
“It was an absolutely fantastic experience! Extraordinarily moving. The day couldn’t have been more amazing. The police escort, the monuments, the number of people and their enthusiasm (at the WH). The WWII Memorial was beautiful and the Air & Space Museum was fabulous–I could have spent a couple of days there easily. And I was particularly moved by the Korean War Memorial–the attention to detail, and that there were volunteers there answering questions. I lost a cousin in the Vietnam War, and my Guardian helped me look up his name and photo on an app right on the spot. The volunteers couldn’t have been more amazing. The most important part of the day was the volunteers. I was constantly impressed throughout the day with how kind, patient, caring and helpful my Guardian and all of the volunteers were. Never even a hint of impatience or frustration. Just the quality of the human beings who helped make our day–they couldn’t have been more wonderful. I can’t give any pointers for improvement.”
— Vietnam Veteran Larry LaRiviere
“For me it was an awesome and emotional experience. I have been sharing my experience with a lot of people since my return. Many more to share with, thank you for everything that you do for Honor flight. My prayers continue for all.”
— Vietnam Veteran Al Agurkis
“July 20 was a grand day, it will be a day I will never forget. All in all, it was a wonderful day. Visiting the various monuments allowed me to see things I had only seen on TV or in books. The greeting we received on our return flight was something out of a Twenty Century Fox movie. I have always loved parades; this was the parade of all parades. Thanks to all of the Honor Flight Chicago staff and to all of the sponsors for all joy you have given us.”
— Vietnam Veteran Clanton Pitchford
