Honor Flight Chicago celebrated its 90th flight last week with 96 senior war heroes, including 12 from World War II. We continue to honor more veterans on more flights than any other hub in the Honor Flight network, and we could not have made it to Flight 90 without the support and passion of our volunteers!
Family has emerged as a major HFC theme to us among both our volunteer and veteran populations. It played a major role in our flight last week. In addition to the pair of brothers we had on the plane, there was a remarkable moment at the Air Force Memorial when two of our veterans passed by each other.
“Jerry?” one said to the other.
“Jerry!” came the response.
It turns out that the veterans – both named Jerry – are cousins who grew up playing together in the same neighborhood, but who had lost contact for nearly half a century. They ended up on different buses on HFC 90, and are now reconnected. It was a bit of Honor Flight Chicago magic!
Our family guardian stories from last week also were powerful.
- Debi Pocius traveled with her uncle, Robert Shouse. Robert was her father’s twin brother. The brothers would have traveled together, but Debi’s dad passed away last year. Her presence allowed Robert to experience his Day of Honor with his brother through his niece.
- Korean War Air Force Technical Sgt. Tom Sucher traveled with his son, Major Scott Sucher. Scott is a retired Air Force pilot who served during Desert Storm. Tom was so moved by the experience of the two Air Force veterans that when we called him Friday to get his reaction to his Day of Honor, he kept handing the phone to his wife because he could not speak through the tears of joy. “The words Thank You are not big enough,” he said.
- Jeri Clausen, daughter of Korean War veteran Jerry Denault, spent 13 years in the Army. Their bond is not only father/daughter, but also one between fellow veterans. Tears flowed easily and words failed when asked what it meant to their family to be able to share this experience.
Next month, as we begin the final push toward the incredible milestone of HFC Flight 100, we embark on another new era at Honor Flight Chicago. While we will continue to fly World War II and Korean War veterans as soon as we receive their applications, moving forward the vast majority of veterans we honor each flight will be from the Vietnam Era. We are excited to give this group the Day of Honor they so richly deserve, and to welcome them into our HFC family!
On a final personal note, the May flight was the final flight for Honor Flight Chicago’s Logistics Manager Ryan Walters. Ryan has accepted a new position as a Grant Coordinator at Lake Forest College. He was instrumental in our introduction to HFC and its processes, and continued until his final day to be an incredible resource for us and for all of our volunteers. He is the engine that has driven the Honor Flight Chicago bus the last six months. We cannot thank him enough!
Edna Ho and Doug Meffley
Directors, Honor Flight Chicago
“I was numb. Can’t believe the day we had, I can’t believe everything we did. I have never been treated so well. It took me out of my old man bubble!!”
— John Olson
“What an excellent day! Nothing could have been better. I loved the pictures in the black marble at the Korean Memorial were the best.”
— Sunny Woods
(Was Crying the whole time on the phone) “The words thank you aren’t big enough. Running the gauntlet of people when getting off the plane I was so damn surprised to see my adult children there.” (Gives the phone to his wife because he is crying again, then takes it back) “The very best of everything. What a day!!!”
— Tom Sucher
“Oh my God! The day is swimming around in my head. I had dinner with a fellow vet who was Army. He had received a hat from an Air Force member that said Air Force One Crew on it. He said I can’t wear this, I’m Army, here, you take it. What a wonderful souvenir. This was a day I will never forget!!”
— John Lee
“I was blown away, everyone was so enthusiastic! I am telling everyone I see about the wonderful day. Please send me applications so I can give them to men at my church.”
— Ken Shoburg
“I don’t know who was more excited about the day, my family or me! Even the weather was perfect. I spent most of Thursday in bed just resting and I’m feeling great again! Thanks so much.”
— Will Intoe
“It was so impressive that so many people cared enough about us veterans to volunteer their time to honor us. My service was so long ago, but Wednesday brought back memories of what I did. It was important to me at the time and now I know that it was important to others as well. I’m rested, fit as a fiddle and dancing a jig today!”
— Forrest Hazard
“An honor truly should go to all of the people who make [the Honor Flight] possible, the employees and volunteers of Honor Flight Chicago. The coup de grace was the greeting we received when we arrived back at Midway. Sometimes when I see certain things occurring, I fear for the future of our country. But when I see such respectful young men and women as those who greeted us at Midway, those fears are greatly allayed.”
— Frank Ring
“I am still high after the wonderful gift you gave us vets. The day couldn’t have been better! I got long letters from my family and I am reading them over and over again. Thanks so much. My guardian was an angel!”
— Pat Boyle
“I can’t find a word other than awesome. My guardian daughter must have taken 500 pictures and I’m watching them on my big screen tv now! The volunteers were unbelievable, I can’t thank everybody enough.”
— Clarence Stone
“I’m glad I came. I didn’t expect the reception we got with all of the people who expressed their thanks. Especially the young kids. It’s unbelievable. I’m sure glad I came.”
— Fred Staron
“The day was absolutely phenomenal. I can’t tell you what my favorite part of the day was, because everything was my favorite part of the day.”
— Richard McNulty
