Military Honor Flight

[ChuckH]

I recently went on a one-day trip to Washington DC as part of the Indy Honor Flight program.  In a word, the experience was AWESOME!!

If any of you are eligible because you served on active duty during following times, I would strongly recommend you consider applying to go.  The eligibility times are:  WW II: 12/7/41-12/31/46  Korean War: 6/25/50-7/27/53  Vietnam: 2/28/61-5/7/75.

Many states have Honor Flight Chapters that make multiple trips each year.  There were ten other groups on their Flights the day we were in DC.

[Guzzistajohn]

I did that a few years ago. It was a great experience. The Navy veteran I was assigned got up the steps of the Lincoln memorial faster than I did. 

[Texas Turnip]

Chuck,
Thanks for your service.
I had a chance to take the trip, but said it should go to older vets than me that actually served in wartime. True, I was in during the Vietnam era but never fired a gun or got shot at while aboard ship.

Tex

[Lannis]

Chuck,
Thanks for your service.
I had a chance to take the trip, but said it should go to older vets than me that actually served in wartime. True, I was in during the Vietnam era but never fired a gun or got shot at while aboard ship.

Tex

I was never in.   But when YOU joined, you took an oath to follow orders, and die for your country if necessary, and do what had to be done.   Just because you were not ordered to the front isn't any sort of mark against your commitment and service.   

Thanks!

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck, my cousin Dick is a young fellow like you.. and said the letters he got during "mail call" brought a tear to his eye..
Thanks from all of us.

[Bulldog9]

Glad you enjoyed it! These are awesome events

[Bigtime]

  Chuck,   I know I've told you at the rally but THANK YOU for your service. Glad you enjoyed your honor flight. I want to extend my heart felt THANKS to everyone who has serviced in the military or law enforcement.      JohnB

[ChuckH]

Chuck, my cousin Dick is a young fellow like you.. and said the letters he got during "mail call" brought a tear to his eye.. Thanks from all of us. 

Chuck,

That's exactly correct.  My mail pouch had 50 or so notes, letters and drawings, mostly from people I don't even know.  I've answered (with a hand-written letter) all that I can identify where they came from and from whom -- like; Bobbie or Suzie from some Middle School in Some Town in IN.  It was really neat.  And, yes, they did bring a tear to my eye, just as they are right now as I'm typing this response.  I must be getting soft.

Thanks for the good words guys.  My time in the Navy was '52 to '56.  Over 60 years ago, seems like a life time.  It was a very good experience for an 18 year old kid.  Looking back, the best thing that ever happened to me.

The Other Chuck

[Rough Edge racing]

I was never in.   But when YOU joined, you took an oath to follow orders, and die for your country if necessary, and do what had to be done.   Just because you were not ordered to the front isn't any sort of mark against your commitment and service.   

Thanks!

Lannis

  I was drafted at age 19 and served two years but was never in a combat zone...I consider my service not in the same class as those who were actually in deadly combat situations...I have strong opinions on this subject that are best left off this site..

[Dave Swanson]

I went with my WW2 veteran father 4 years ago.  It was one of his favorite memories and mine also.  I am very thankful that we went before he passed.

[ChuckH]

I went with my WW2 veteran father 4 years ago.  It was one of his favorite memories and mine also.  I am very thankful that we went before he passed. 

Our son, 51 years, a veteran of the Coast Guard and an engineer at GM in Michigan, was my Guardian.  He was amazed at what we experienced.  It was a great time for us, together.

[jbell]

  I was drafted at age 19 and served two years but was never in a combat zone...I consider my service not in the same class as those who were actually in deadly combat situations...I have strong opinions on this subject that are best left off this site..

I dunno, brother.  It's the only job I ever had that the FBI comes looking for you if you don't show up for work.  They can keep you at work and send you anywhere in the world and not let you say goodbye to your family or even tell you where you're going.  They can send you someplace where pissed off people with guns want to kill you.  Or some substandard jerk with a higher pay grade could make your life miserable with little you could do about it.  If you served, you were vulnerable.  I salute you. ps, you must have some kind of charm about you if you were drafted and didn't draw combat zone pay.

[Bulldog9]

I've supported several of these, they often get active guys involved, and we love rubbing elbows with our older brothers. Best ive been a part of is the D day reenactment jump into Belgium and France. Actually had some WW2 screaming Eagles jump with us.... Talk about HONOR...... The people of France and Belgium were friendly to us but just about worshipped our WW2 brothers.... Not a dry eye for a few days.....

Was flying out of Baltimore yesterday to head to our youngest's college for 'parents weekend' and was pleasantly surprised to find an arrival of an honor flight. Always a special opportunity to honor a vet and one of the small % who stepped up... Volunteer or not, in combat or not honorable service deserves honor and respect.