Posted on Aug 21, 2017
As a veteran, what would you recommend to make an "Honor Flight" experience even better for our nation's WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veterans?
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Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. Veterans are transported to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.
https://www.honorflight.org/
https://www.honorflight.org/
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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For clarity, I will provide a bit more information. I am the Chairman of the newest Honor Flight Hub which is located in Louisiana. There are almost 170 hubs located across the U.S., with each hub operating a little differently. For those unaware of how the organization works, it spends anywhere from a day to a weekend bringing WWII, Korea, and Vietnam vets to D.C. to visit their memorials, see a changing of the Guard, and allow the veterans to share comradery with one another.
Most hubs have their own T-shirts, get Honor Guards to be present at the airport for the departing and arriving flights, do a mail call on the plane from family, Congress, and students learning about WWII. They also may shoot water across the plane as it departs as a salute. It is small details like these that I am curious about.
We plan to use the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA for a tour and banquet the day before we depart for a one-day trip to D.C. in addition to everything I mentioned above. However, veterans provide a unique perspective that I feel will add to the amazing experience we hope to give these men and women on our inagural flight next year.
Most hubs have their own T-shirts, get Honor Guards to be present at the airport for the departing and arriving flights, do a mail call on the plane from family, Congress, and students learning about WWII. They also may shoot water across the plane as it departs as a salute. It is small details like these that I am curious about.
We plan to use the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA for a tour and banquet the day before we depart for a one-day trip to D.C. in addition to everything I mentioned above. However, veterans provide a unique perspective that I feel will add to the amazing experience we hope to give these men and women on our inagural flight next year.
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By the Network's estimations from the many people and organizations it interacts with, we are losing Vietnam veterans at a higher rate than WWII veterans. As Sgt (Join to see) stated, Agent Orange is the primary culprit.
LCDR Gordon Brown
Sgt (Join to see) - You are absolutely correct Sgt., Agent Orange has taken a vast majority of us Vietnam Veterans and then the other chemicals like asbestos, carbon tet and TCE are making our retirement very painful.
LCDR Gordon Brown
Average age for WWII is 78, Korea is 77 and Vietnam is 67 which means that of the 3.1 million in-country or coastal waters Vietnam Veterans that served, 2/3rds have succumb to AO.
Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire
Sgt (Join to see) - You are so right Ted. Lost my brother last year at age 72 Marine with AO issues and he never got to see the wall. I'm only 67 and maybe some day I'll see it, but not for a while yet.
1LT David D. Mathies Sir, thank you for taking the responsibility to be the Chairman of the Louisiana Hub. I have viewed the Honor Flight Network, but have not signed up yet. For me, seeing the Vietnam Memorial and spending time with my brothers will be a moving experience that I will forever cherish. The plans that you mention sound great, and will be deeply appreciated by the veterans. Thank you for this Post, and your work with the Honor Flight.
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I am hoping it will be the honor of a lifetime Sir. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend our Hub's inaugural flight, but I hope to see the pictures and videos of the joy and comradery. Please let me know if you have any questions about the organization, and I can get you in touch with the Hub closest to you. Just like the military, Honor Flight is one big family who will do anything for one another.
Is there anything you would recommend, or would like to see on an Honor Flight (specific to you), that I could incorporate for my Hub?
Is there anything you would recommend, or would like to see on an Honor Flight (specific to you), that I could incorporate for my Hub?
Sgt (Join to see)
1LT David D. Mathies - I have given this some thought, and here are some idea's:
1. I love to see War Museums, especially the Vietnam section, to see helicopters, M79 Grenade Launches, M60 Machine Guns, etc. Museums are great for many of us because they bring back many memories. I would also like to see the other War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, etc.
2. Challenge Coins of the war or from specific units. I had never heard of Challenge Coins until about 10 years ago, but some veterans collect them.
http://www.medalsofamerica.com/Item--i-CC558?gclid=CjwKCAjwrO_MBRBxEiwAYJnDLEbaTCtHVUgCYtXzc_1OJ_LdOUGLTkm_mWnGOwPeVD6NNVnDXEZDdRoCezUQAvD_BwE
3. A Unit patch as specified by the veteran. It could be a Division, Regiment, etc.
4. A printed history of the unit that they were in.
5. A small plague with their name, rank and unit. The plague would have a WWII design.
I do not have any questions about the Honor Flight at this time. If I do, I will contact you. I appreciate your offer, as this is a great organization.
1. I love to see War Museums, especially the Vietnam section, to see helicopters, M79 Grenade Launches, M60 Machine Guns, etc. Museums are great for many of us because they bring back many memories. I would also like to see the other War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, etc.
2. Challenge Coins of the war or from specific units. I had never heard of Challenge Coins until about 10 years ago, but some veterans collect them.
http://www.medalsofamerica.com/Item--i-CC558?gclid=CjwKCAjwrO_MBRBxEiwAYJnDLEbaTCtHVUgCYtXzc_1OJ_LdOUGLTkm_mWnGOwPeVD6NNVnDXEZDdRoCezUQAvD_BwE
3. A Unit patch as specified by the veteran. It could be a Division, Regiment, etc.
4. A printed history of the unit that they were in.
5. A small plague with their name, rank and unit. The plague would have a WWII design.
I do not have any questions about the Honor Flight at this time. If I do, I will contact you. I appreciate your offer, as this is a great organization.
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