30 Apr Honor Air Atlanta 2010
On Wednesday, April 14th the Roswell Rotary Club from Roswell, GA spearheaded a trip to escort 96 World War II veterans to see their World War II Memorial. It was the third such trip that our club has taken … we went twice in 2008. This time we were assisted by some other Rotary Clubs, and we appreciate their assistance!
In 2008 we brought 30 wheelchairs with us. This year we had 47. And used every one of them.
It was a wonderful day. The weather was perfect both in Atlanta and in Washington DC. 15 Patriot Guard Riders, most of them Vietnam veterans, escorted us on their motorcycles to Hartsfield-Jackson airport. As always, US Airways treated our honored guests like the VIP’s they are.
When we arrived at Regan, active duty soldiers, the USO, and children from an elementary school met the plane and cheered for each veteran as he or she left the plane. There was a live band playing 1940’s music. Balloons, streamers, flags.
“Thank you for your service,” a child would say, most politely.
Not a dry eye, not one.
After spending an hour or so at the World War II Memorial, we visited the Korean Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Viet Nam Memorial.
President Elwyn Gaissert told us about one of our WWII Veterans whose son was killed in Vietnam. He asked his guardian if he would accompany him to find his son’s name on the Vietnam Wall, as he had never seen it. The guardian was barely able to keep up with the Vet as they got closer and closer. It was as if the son was calling to his Father, and the Veteran went right to his son’s name, never having been there nor seen the Wall before. That moment all by itself would have made the trip worthwhile.
Our last stop before the flight home was at Arlington Memorial Cemetery to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
I pray that we can do this again. Unfortunately, it’s a very expensive project. We are still fundraising to pay for this one. There are 38 World War II veterans on our waiting list, and I know there are hundreds more in the Atlanta area who would love to take this trip.
If there is another organization anywhere in the country who wants to organize such an Honor Air trip, we have created a template of instructions on how to carry this out. We’ll share what we know.
Our dream is that someone in Atlanta will come forward to sponsor a 4th trip for our veterans. Time is of the essence.
Tom Lynn
Posted at 20:13h, 01 JulyMy Dad, Curtis, is an 88 year old WWII vet. Does alot of walking in his neighborhood and has heard about the trips. He would really enjoy this trip. Dad met my Mother during the war in France and married in 1948. Mom passed in 1981.
Pat
Posted at 06:11h, 09 JulyWhere does your Dad live, Tom? We need to get him on our list for our next trip.