Honor Flight Chicago Magic. It’s a theme we’ve returned to multiple times in this message, most recently in May when an HFC interview sparked a reunion between high school buddies that was 50 years in the making.
Before we get to the latest example of Honor Flight Chicago Magic, HFC105 this month marked a bittersweet milestone. For the first time since our inception in 2008 to bring WWII heroes to their memorial, we did not have a WWII veteran aboard this flight. Honor Flight Chicago flew WWII veterans exclusively from 2008-15 before opening to Korean War veterans in 2016 and Vietnam War veterans in 2019. Over the first 104 flights in our history, we have honored 6,340 WWII veterans – and we will continue to do so! We already have one WWII veteran signed up for the October mission in a few weeks.
HFC105 comprised 14 Korean War and 100 Vietnam War veterans. This was our highest total of Korean War veterans on a single flight in 2022!
Now onto the Magic: Vietnam Veteran Larry Bychowski was a crew chief for the OV-1 Mohawk in Vietnam, but also had many other assignments that saw him in dangerous situations. During one encounter Larry found himself face-to-face with the barrel of a VC weapon – he was saved by another man in his unit.
Larry reconnected with this comrade-in-arms about a decade after the war and kept in sporadic touch via phone and through family contacts. Larry mentioned to that family that he would be aboard HFC105, but never dreamed what that bit of information would bring. When the bus doors opened last Wednesday at the WWII Memorial, standing there was a face Larry had not seen in person since they both were in the jungles of Vietnam. It was a tearful, joyous reunion. It turns out that Larry’s savior had relocated to Washington, D.C., and was not going to miss this opportunity for the world.
After the flight we received feedback about our volunteers from a different HFC105 veteran. He said, in part, “I have never seen a group of volunteers that are as SINCERE in their mission as the Honor Flight Chicago Volunteers. Not only is there an abundance of them, they are all the BEST!!!” We have to agree. Thank you for being the best!
We have just one more flight remaining in the 2022 season. That flight will put us on the precipice of our 10,000th veteran honored – a milestone we’ll cross with the first flight of 2023.
See you next month!
Edna Ho and Doug Meffley
Directors, Honor Flight Chicago
“I’m still numb from my Honor Flight experience. Never expected what I experienced. Thanks for your assistance and thanks to the Honor Flight organization and crew for enriching my life.”
— Korean War Veteran William Fireside
“When I walked into Midway I felt like I was returning from World War II. It was worth every second waiting 52 years for the welcome back we received. THANK YOU HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO.”
— Vietnam Veteran Robert Aumond
“The day exceeded every expectation I expected. I appreciate all the time and effort you and every volunteer put in to make me feel like I did not just waste two and a half years of my life in the Army.”
— Vietnam Veteran Mike Gasparro
“I’m still trying to find the right words to say THANK you. The impact that this has made has been overwhelming. I will never, never forget what you all have done for me. I greatly appreciate it and wish you well!”
— Vietnam Veteran LeRoy Weatherspoon
“What a day! What a great group of volunteers! What a Mission! If there is one thing I want to leave you with it is this. I have never seen a group of volunteers that are as SINCERE in their mission as the Honor Flight Volunteers. Not only is there an abundance of them, they are all the BEST!!! Once again, thank you so much.”
— Vietnam Veteran Steve Terando
“Thank you for the great pic of Homer and me. The trip was just fantastic. I will never forget this “milestone” in my life. The number and the enthusiasm of the volunteers really made this a special day – did not anticipate the huge number of these wonderful folks! All the best and keep up the great work you do for veterans.”
— Vietnam Veteran Thomas Brown
“The treatment and reception of the entire experience was beyond anything I expected. Even though myself and all other veterans were treated like heroes, the real heroes are the men and women of Honor Flight Chicago. As I digest all that happened on 9/21/22, I can’t stop thinking about these men and women who gave their time to honor me. From early in the morning to late at night when the flight returned it was just unbelievable. The welcome home was overwhelming and the masses of people were incredible. My wife and children surprised me at the airport with some close friends also. I can never repay the many men and women that support this and will forever be grateful. I’ll never forget this experience.”
— Vietnam Veteran Thomas Moulton
“It was a wonderful time. I’m grateful I went on the flight. The whole process was just as it should have been. I had a pal who was going to fly with me, but he passed away two years ago. My primary motivation was to represent Walt on the trip. Then while I was there I remembered another friend of mine, Carl who died in service to our country. I also remembered my Dad, who was a WWII Veteran and his 2 pals, all of whom passed before the WWII Memorial was even built. I had so many spirits riding on my shoulders that day. I feel they all breathed a sigh of relief.”
— Vietnam Veteran Scott Swan
