I attended an emotional event this afternoon.....headed into town and went to the airport. I was one of the many that were there to honor a group of WWII vets returning to Tucson after visiting Washington DC as part of the Honor Flight program. You have to realize that we, as a nation, are loosing about 1000 WWII vets a day and far too soon they will only live in our memories. Several years ago an organization started that flies them to DC and they get to visit the WWII memorial, the Korean war memorial, the Wall, Arlington Cemetery and the Iwo Jima memorial.
When the war ended, they returned from the unspeakable horrors they endured, got jobs or went to school, started their families and went about their lives. Honor Flight is a way to welcome them home and say "thanks". I cannot convey the smiles those vets had at the welcome....the salutes from the Air Force and Navy folks, the honor guards from the various veteran groups and the patriot riders, the scouts, the law enforcement folk and the many other Americans there. Though most were in wheelchairs, you could see the pride as they shook many hands and as many people welcomed them home and thanked them for what they did so very many years ago.
If you've never done this you NEED to check out their website at
http://www.honorflight.org/about/
there are chapters throughout the US and there is probably a flight in your area in the near future.....
NavyDads- this is worth it...you will see and meet what we've all called the greatest generation....thank them for saving our freedom....one day your sons and daughters will be veterans....how would you like them to be remembered?
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Attended another Honor Flight arrival ceremony last night....about 75 vets from Southern Arizona returned home to a rousing welcome.....had to be at least 750 folks in the Tucson airport loaded with flags and cheers for those veterans. I spent the evening with NavyDads.com member, author, and retired Senior Chief John Quinn.....it was his first Honor Flight event, and I think he was as moved with the parade of heroes as the rest of us! We shook as many hands as we could, and thanked those sailors, soldiers, and airmen for their part in defending the world from the tyranny and insanity that took the minds of otherwise rational people in the 40's.
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some background:
We're so thankful to all of them and their sacrifice...
I'm nothing Gary compared to those guys and gals that laid everything on the line and saved the world from the evil that overtook the minds of otherwise rational men. I cannot emphasize enough.....if you get the chance- do this!!!! It may change much in your life and your understanding of those days in the 1940's
You're Awesome Paul!
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