It's been two weeks

[solo1]

                                                      It's been two weeks

Two weeks ago today, I was on the Honor Flight.  Every day, since, I mull over another good memory that happened to me that day.

It was a long day.  From the time that Mark and I set foot in the Air National Guard complex until I came back through the reception line at Ft Wayne International Airport, I was overwhelmed by the care and attention that I received by the Honor Flight staff, and the welcoming by our patriotic, faithful, men, women, and children.

The Memorials, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam, were indications of the Best of our Republic.  The solemn precision of the Changing of the Guard at “The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier”  was magnificent. The onlookers were respectfully silent.

It has given me new Faith in our country to see all the people who still care.  The whole day was filled with positive happenings! 

If you know of some veteran who is eligible to go on these Honor Flights, persuade him (or her) to sign up.  They will be rewarded with a renewed sense of appreciation and pride in this Ole Country of ours!

Wayne, solo1

[98 T]

Wayne,

I've been to 7 Homecoming celebrations at  Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee.  The first one I went to was a life-changing experience in 2010.  The home-coming celebrations gotten bigger since. I just heard our  Wisconsin Honor Flights have taken nearly 5000 deserving men (and women).  Usually there are over 5,000 people there at the airport waiting for hours for the flights to land. There's usually a 1940's swing band... young women dressed from the 1940's... honor guard.... a bagpipe band.   My daughter's high school varsity dance team was there last year for one flight to escort the vets off the plane.  Pretty cool

Once I was there and found out Black Dog was there with his dad who came back from a flight but I didn't see him with all the people around and he was just across the aisle from me... small world!  Everyone knows someone who was in WWII or Korea.

This coming Saturday night there is a double flight coming home - 2 full planes.  I am hoping to go there again with my family.

Thank you for your service. I wish I could have been at the Ft Wayne airport to welcome you back.

Loth

[solo1]

Thanks Loth!

I'm intending to be there as part of the Homecoming crowd on the next Honor Flight this month on the 25th.

I'll probably take a folding chair because of my knees but I hope to give back a little of what was given to me last month.

The fact that people wait for hours to do this tells me something of those who take the time to honor all of our vets. It is encouraging to me.

[98 T]

Saturday night was another great night - great people all waiting at the airport.

I think there were more people there than there have every been!  Actually, it was a little disappointing because we couldn't get near the receiving line. We arrived late though.  There were people there who waited since 2:00 PM to get the best spots... usually it's family waiting to greet their Vet in the line.

We were back at least 25 feet from the line and couldn't see as much this time - but that's ok.  But were able to push our way closer after a while as the Vets walked by. Really cool to see all the "thank you for your service" comments.
Many Vets who were on prior flights were there to greet the new arrivals. A marching band from a local high school... bag pipe band from at the end plus nearly 100 cadets from our local Great Lakes Naval Academy, Civil Air Patrol, and ROTC, etc..  restores my faith in humanity - that there is still honor and gratitude among some out there.

Thank you, Wayne, for going to your local airport to greet the next group coming in.

Lots of good memories from my trips there!!

Loth  (98t)