To our volunteers: We’re back!
Pardon us for paraphrasing Michael Jordan’s iconic 1995 fax announcing his return to basketball, but it feels appropriate in the afterglow of an exceptional 96th flight last week. On August 18, 2021, three WWII, 33 Korean War, and 76 Vietnam War veterans traveled with us on a trip that was long anticipated and will be long remembered by all involved.
In between brief outbursts of rain, these 112 veterans enjoyed a performance by the Marines Corps Silent Drill Platoon, visits to the memorials built in tribute to their service, and the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum – all of the sights, sounds and experiences that we have grown accustomed to providing.
Flying safely in a COVID world is hard work. Getting last week’s flight off the ground safely and in a way that we can be proud of took more planning, time, and investment than possibly any other flight in our history. But we showed 112 senior veterans the thanks and respect they deserve because you – our volunteers – were willing to do the work necessary to make it happen. You believe so deeply in our mission and in the power of the words “thank you” to do real good that you willed this flight to happen.
We didn’t just return to what we’ve always done, either. The plane is bigger than before. We flew more veterans and had more buses than before. Our safety protocols are different. Perhaps most significantly, we were the first Honor Flight hub in the country to fly again. We blazed our own path back to the memorials in D.C.
One Vietnam veteran – who also is an HFC volunteer – commented after the flight that “I was one of the chosen few to fly on this first Honor Flight, and after 22 months, I can tell you if anyone lost any skills it sure did not show.” Thank you so much to all of our returning volunteers and to the dozens and dozens and dozens of new volunteers who have joined our mission.
Last week was only the beginning! Before the fall is done, we will have flown four times in the span of 10 weeks – a schedule that includes the historic Operation HerStory All-Female Veteran flight on October 6. We were this aggressive because our veterans have already waited so long for their life-changing trip to Washington, and because our volunteers are the best.
See you in September!
Edna Ho and Doug Meffley
Directors, Honor Flight Chicago
Check out Honor Flight Chicago on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
An enormous “Thank you” goes out to Lester Holt and the entire team at NBC Nightly News for featuring our flight on their Wednesday evening broadcast. Watch the segment from the show here.
“Oh my gosh, that far surpassed any of my expectations. It was wonderful, just wonderful other than the long delay getting back, but even then I was absolutely amazed at the number of people who stayed to welcome us home. You folks put together a wonderful day.”
— Korean War Veteran Joe Chandler
“It was a great and wonderful day. I was shocked, elated and surprised. The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon was superb performing in all that rain! The arrival in DC with everyone in sight cheering was unbelievable – I never in my life expected that I would get this wonderful treatment!”
— Vietnam Veteran Jerry Warren
“Thanks so much for a beautiful day. I have had heartburn since I came back from Nam and was treated so badly. After the flight on Wednesday I no longer have that heartburn.”
— Vietnam Veteran Jim Montalbano
“The day started great and ended greater!! The quality of treatment made me so happy. Whoever thought I would live long enough to have a police escort?! I was so honored.”
— Vietnam Veteran Edward Cain
“Listen, this was one of the best days of my life in every respect. My guardian, my angel, Jessica Sowa was the best!! Not only did she take unbelievable care of my needs she also helped other vets. Just being in DC as a veteran was terrific. The orange shirts were so polite and so respectful to all the vets.”
— Korean War Veteran Eddie Edmonds
“One of the best days I’ve ever had! Everything that was under Honor Flight Chicago control was done perfectly. I was excited to be interviewed by both Fox and NBC News. It was humbling to see the name of one of my flight instructors on the Vietnam Wall. The water cannon salute (times 4) was impressive. Thanks for everything Honor Flight Chicago did.”
— Korean War Veteran Dennis Keast
“Doggone, the trip was so great. I am always looking for flaws and if there was one I missed it. When I was offered coffee, I told them coffee is for old people and I wish there was some juice. Shortly after, someone in a green shirt walked up to me and handed me apple juice. I should have said I’d rather have a hundred dollar bill. It was a long wait at the airport to get home but we had so much fun.“
— Vietnam Veteran Thurman (Termite) Collier
“I was one of the chosen to fly on this first Honor Flight after 22 months, and I can tell you if anyone lost any skills it sure did not show. Everything was more than I expected and everything was great. From sendoff to return I felt Honored to be a Veteran. It was an Honor to be a guest and I can not thank You enough. I look forward to being a Volunteer on the next Flight”
— Vietnam Veteran Richard Aguinaga
