Honor Flight, what an honor!!

2015-04-27T09:29:08-04:00

Wow! Where or how do I start? I can surely say that on Saturday I had the BEST day of my short career. From the very beginning, we were receiving World War II, Vietnam and Korea Veterans, every single soul in that airport was applauding and thanking those vets for their service. Laughs and tears everywhere. One SGT at my side told one of the Vets, we're gonna have a great day, hooah! And the Vet replied, I WAS IN THE NAVY! We couldn't help but laugh. If my day had been just that I could say that it was enough but, we had a day full of emotions ahead of us.

From the Airport we went to the Arlington Cemetary to watch the Change of Guard in front of the Unknown Soldier Thumb. A ceremony full of respect and solitude. The day was just getting better, I got to see the Audie L. Murphy thumb surrounded by Veterans, a double honor.

After that we went to the Iwo Jima Memorial, where I got the Honor to meet Tuskegee Airmen LTC Leo R. Gray, a Red Tail Pilot from the USAF http://avstop.com/history/blackpilots/leogray.htm . Being there with Veterans that fought there had a complete different meaning. But the day continued and we head to the best moment of the whole trip, the WWII Memorial.

Ok, imagine that you are in the Hollywood Stars Walk, at the Rolling Stones Star, WITH the Rolling Stone well, this was even more AWESOME. We are there, Veterans everywhere, every step we took was another picture with the people that was there. We were in ACU's with Veterans, that's not a picture you take everyday. It took us more than 45 mins to complete the whole lap of the WWII Memorial, whoever have go there will know that's a lot of time. We enjoy every moment shared with them, there was so much respect and gratitude for us that it was overwhelming. When we walked out of the Memorial, there was a line of kids shaking our hands and thanking our service, what an experience!

On our way back to the airport, I took the time to thank them for the opportunity of being there. I told them that I thought I was volunteering to help them during the day but, at the end, I felt like THEY volunteered for let ME have a GREAT day with them.

To those that haven't the experience of being in a Honor Flight, I would say that whenever you get the chance, jump in because you won't ever forget it. If you want more information on it, here is the link: https://www.honorflight.org/ also, there was NBC and FOX News covering the activity, if you want to see the coverage will be today at night here: http://www.wsvn.com/story/28912158/veterans-travel-to-dc-to-honor-fallen-comrades (I don't have the link for NBC though)

*********************UPDATE*******UPDATE*******UPDATE**************************

While my day was AWESOME from beginning to end, their day didn't stop there. The biggest surprise was waiting for them back in Florida!!! More than 2000 people were waiting for them at the airport to give them the "Welcome Back Home!!!", how great is that?! Family members, Service Members, Police Men, Civilians, EVERYBODY was waiting for them there. As SSgt Private RallyPoint Member told me, that was a powerful picture. I really wish being there with them!! I bet they had the day of their lifes. I updated the link with the coverage on the Honor Flight, please give it a click and watch the whole report on it.

I hope I didn't bored you, I just wanted to share my awesome experience.

Home - www.honorflight.org

Honor Flight honors our veterans who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam by flying them to see the memorials built in their honor in Washington, DC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 9:34 AM

2015-04-27T09:34:08-04:00

Awesome post and awesome experience.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-04-27T09:38:11-04:00

Thank you for the link. And the post. I think you had just as much impact on the vets you encountered. Continue to pay it forward.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Apr 27 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-04-27T10:02:12-04:00

One of the very best days of my life was In March of 2013 when I took my Honer Flight. One of the best parts of that day was getting to talk to the active duty people who met us at our hotel and at the monuments. To them I can't say thank you enough. I remember the day we sailed for Veitnam. We needed a Coast Guard escort to keep the protesters away. The Golden Gate Bridge was lined with people and it was not flowers they were throwing. I cannot express in words my feelings about Honer Flight. All I can is thank you for a very special day

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-04-27T10:20:25-04:00

I help out with this every time there is one here in Central MO. I am on the flag line, which means I have to squeeze into my uniform from 15 years ago - sadly I can no longer use the belt as it is for a size 29 waist & I wear a 32-34 now.

On our last one we had a gentleman who was on one of the first bombers to fly over Europe. They got hit a lot & crashed upon return. He was the sole survivor of the crew & spend the next 14 months in hospitals. Last Monday (4/20/15) was the first time he had flown since that day.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 27 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-04-27T10:33:23-04:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I'm glad to hear it was such a positive experience. The warriors who went before us have much wisdom. Being in their presence can be awesome (full of awe).

Response by CPL Rob N. made Apr 27 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-04-27T11:50:25-04:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member You should also check out this memorial in Bedford, VA. (near Roanoke, VA.) I haven't been there personally (but plan to this summer), but I have friends that have been and said it was amazing! http://www.dday.org/

Home - National D-Day Memorial

The National D-Day Memorial located in Bedford, Virginia is tribute to those who bravery and valor fought and died during the invasion during World War II in Normandy in Axis occupied France on June 6, 1944.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 12:00 PM

2015-04-27T12:00:34-04:00

Awesome experience! ! I'm glad for you. Thanks for sharing.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 5:26 PM

2015-04-27T17:26:24-04:00

My neighbor in Colorado, a WWII vet was honored. The smile on his face as he told us about it spoke more than any words ever could.

Thanks to all of you who support this for those honored.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 27 at 2015 5:46 PM

2015-04-27T17:46:01-04:00

That's awesome @PFC Antonio Camacho You are lucky and should feel honored!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-05-19T20:43:13-04:00

PFC Camacho it was an honor indeed! Looking forward to the next Honor Flight!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 9 at 2018 6:17 AM

2018-09-09T06:17:56-04:00

Great pictures Antonio.

Response by SFC Dr. Jesus Garcia-Arce, Psy.D made Sep 4 at 2023 6:04 PM

2023-09-04T18:04:01-04:00

Great sharing of those honored veterans SGT Antonio Camacho Ortiz