The sixth mission for Honor Flight Chicago in 2019 took place last week, and it was another memorable day in our nation’s capital. This time we brought six World War II, 20 Korean War and 77 Vietnam War veterans for a total of 103 on the plane. Overall for the year, exactly 600 senior war heroes have now received their much deserved Day of Honor with one flight remaining in October.
We want to draw your attention to a “behind-the-scenes” story from last week that highlights exactly what our volunteers are capable of accomplishing together. During the initial invitations to fly, 98-year-old WWII Navy Lieutenant Clelia Ginay told her volunteer ambassador something of note: Her husband, Navy Lieutenant John Ginay, was interred at Arlington National Cemetery when he passed away in 2004. She had not been able to visit him since the day he was laid to rest some 15 years ago.
Clelia’s ambassador passed that information along to us in the office, and we were excited about the possibility of allowing her to make another visit to her husband’s final resting place. Our exceptional Washington D.C. volunteer coordinators came at the project with a Yes, And attitude and soon plans began to form.
Clelia’s family had long ago misplaced their permanent pass to gain access to the Arlington National Cemetery grounds, so her ambassador applied for a new one and managed to get it in record time! Another volunteer hand-delivered that pass to flight leadership at Midway the morning of the flight. Meanwhile, in D.C., a third volunteer secured a van large enough for the side-trip travel party. He also purchased flowers that Clelia could leave for her husband. A fourth volunteer came on board to help navigate Arlington because her husband is interred in the same columbarium as John Ginay.
With plans set, seven people piled into a rented Dodge Caravan following our group ceremony at the World War II Memorial. Our group included two photographers to document the moment for Clelia. As a finishing touch of class, Sgt. Holmes of the Park Police served as a motorcycle escort over and into the cemetery. There, Clelia had an emotional reunion with her husband that was 15 years in the making.
We have seen countless acts of generosity, compassion and love from our volunteers since we came on board. What has us bursting with pride over this story is the way so many volunteers from all corners and all geographies of Honor Flight Chicago came together to make this happen for one of our heroes.
We have just one more flight in 2019, and we can’t wait to see what materializes in October. See you then!
“We have seen countless acts of generosity, compassion and love from our volunteers since we came on board. What has us bursting with pride over this story is the way so many volunteers from all corners and all geographies of Honor Flight Chicago came together to make this happen for one of our heroes.”
“The entire trip was the highlight. It was very emotional to see the Vietnam Wall. The Women’s Vietnam Memorial was the most moving.”
— Richard Greenwald (Vietnam)
“The day couldn’t have been better! Traveling with my brother was an extra gift. The crowd at both airports was unbelievable, and to see my family and my brother’s family at Midway when we returned was extra special. I became very emotional at the Vietnam Wall but was glad to have been there.”
— Robert Greenwald (Vietnam)
“What a busy day, with the police escort we weren’t delayed by traffic and got from place to place fairly quickly. The Air and Space Museum was the highlight. The people were so very friendly, not only the volunteers but tourists at all the locations took time to shake our hands and say thank you.”
— Ron Kimbrough (Vietnam)
“It was so good to be in Washington DC and to see all the monuments. The WWII Memorial was very special to me. There were three women on the flight and all the men wanted to say hello to us, I truly felt special. It was a long day, but every part of it was special in its own way. Thank you for inviting me to be on this trip!”
— Adeline Lence (WWII)
“An amazing day – very emotional at times, exciting, long and tiring, but it was a great day!! Words cannot express how I felt about the day. The Mail Call from my family and then seeing them at the airport when we returned was phenomenal.”
— Tom Strossner (Vietnam)
“The biggest surprise was that my daughter was a last minute addition and she was my guardian for the day! The day was great, long but great. The sailors from Great Lakes were so friendly and so young! Thanks to the volunteers for making this day possible.”
— Larry Murphy (Korean)
“My day started at 2:59 in the morning and I got back to my apartment at 11 that night. One of the longest days I’ve had in a long time. One thing stood out – the people at Honor Flight Chicago did such an excellent job of taking care of us and everyone did it with a smile on their face! The Air and Space Museum was the highlight for me, I could have spent hours more there. I am still reading my Mail Call letters, I can’t believe how many there are! Thanks again for a day I will never forget!”
— Woody Bilse (Korean)
“The surprising part of the day was near the Vietnam Wall complete strangers helped us find the name of a neighbor who was killed in Vietnam. When I heard the words Mail Call it brought back a flood of memories! If the rest of the world was a little more like the Honor Flight volunteers with their kindness the world certainly would be a better place. I am 93 years old and this truly was one of the best days of my life!”
— Abram Becker (WWII)
“Two days later I am still recovering. I took lots of naps yesterday but am feeling great again today. My favorite part of the day was Mail Call and hearing from family. They all kept that secret from me! The Welcome Home was a big surprise and so were all the people at the airport in Washington, they made the day even more special.”
— Thomas Shumpert (Vietnam)
“A very special day all around – traveling with my nephew was great. The medical staff was caring but didn’t bug us. We knew they were there if they were needed. The WWII Memorial wasn’t terribly crowded so we were able to see all the important aspects of it. Thanks to the volunteers who were so organized throughout the day!”
— Robert Nagel (WWII)
“The entire day was well orchestrated. I slept in yesterday and then wore my grey shirt to Cardiac Rehab where everyone commented on it. The Korean Memorial was spectacular, so very lifelike. My whole family welcomed me home at Midway, and that was the perfect way to end the day.”
— Sheldon Latz (Vietnam)
“Mrs Mullins has set up a funding page for Honor Flight on Facebook! She and I are both very thankful to have been part of this Day of Honor. Even the weather was good on Wednesday! Thanks to the volunteers, the nurses and everyone who worked to make this day so special.”
— Harry Mullins (Vietnam)
“Beyond what anyone could expect – I had never been to Washington before. No one rushed us, we had plenty to time to see everything. Even the weather was perfect! I was surprised at all the civilians who stopped to say thank you and shake our hands. The Welcome Home was special, my family made a big banner saying welcome! Thanks to everyone who made this day special!”
— Tom Ford (Vietnam)
