I've been selected. All I know is it will be a long day.

What is the day like?

If you went, would you go again? Why/Why Not?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Johnny 3eagles,

I have not,
I didn't know volunteers had to purchase their own tickets.
B. It's a super long day.
4:a.m. to 10: p.m.

I am not up to that.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

My father went when he was about 85. He loved it, talked about it for months.
I think he liked it so much because they pampered him so much!

I’ve volunteered for the other end of it. Meeting the Sailors flying at the airport for a greeting in dress uniform.

They all looked extremely happy.

Sorry I don’t have more to offer. My experience is very biased as I love meeting older veterans with their stories.

I was a volunteer escort for a gentleman on an Honor Flight last year.

It will be a long day for sure, but you will enjoy every minute of it. Everything on the Honor Flight is designed to Honor the Veteran who is the honoree. You will be waited on, cared for and pampered all day long.

Enjoy the day and have fun with it.

My guardian is a Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran and it was my privilege to ask him to accompany me.

I went as a guardian with a flight of WWII Vets out of NW Ohio.
There was a volunteer group at the hangar that provided breakfast.
There were school children with signs and flags when we arrived at Dulles Airport as well as Uniformed Active duty
We were met by local Congressman who stayed the day as we toured around DC
Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown was fantastic
The only thing I did not like was TSA at Dulles made WWII Vets take off shoes and belt while setting is wheelchairs. I was torked. I told the one TSA guy, You would be speaking German if it wasn't for these guys.
Yes, long day but worth it.

I've been the lead EMS provider for Old Dominion Honor Flight (our local chapter out of Richmond/Hampton roads) for the past 4 or so years. It's very rewarding for the vets. Our "flight" is a bus trip for Richmond to DC. We do it twice a year. It's a very long day that starts around 0630 and ends around 2130. Our particular itinerary includes the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, WWII Memorial, Vietnam and Korean Memorials and Arlington for the changing for the guard. All meals and snacks are provided. It's a great day! You will have so much fun. If you have any specific questions, please let me know.

Chris

I have been a greeter for several honor flights into DCA. It was a very fulfilling experience, and the vets certainly seemed to appreciate it. Only from what I heard from the participants, it was a busy and long day packed full of memorable moments, visits to service memorials, Arlington Cemetery, Udvar-Hazy, etc. I can't remember one vet who expressed disappointment or regret about having participated. As for me, I felt honored myself to be able to give back, even if just a little, to those who have done so much for our great country!

Do it! I doubt you will regret it.

I did it twice in 2004 bringing a couple friends home from a far away land

UPDATE

Drove to Springfield Missouri on Monday night July 6 (5 hour drive) for our July 7 for 0230 check-in for the flight. The Honor Flight of the Ozarks folks and their amazing volunteers are very well organized. Some of the friendliest and most caring people you could ever meet.

As we exited the terminal (0400) there were two High School ROTC units saluting and a Saber Arch. As our aircraft taxied to the runway we were saluted by a firetruck water cannon.

Dulles airport,at 0800, an arrival water cannon salute and a large crowd inside the terminal. Thank You signs, cheering and clapping.

Turned out, we were the only Honor Flight in DC that day.

As we motored in 4 buses to Arlington National Cemetery, a full blown Police motorcycle unit escort cleared the road and blocked all entrance ramps. 8 o'clock, Arlington, rush hour, no cars...a sight to behold.

We did the monuments and I was able to get a pencil rubbing that I wanted more than anything. Major Robert Degen, Panel W5, Line 33, my boss in country.

Police Motor Unit escort back to Dulles!

There was a departure crowd at Dulles, again, cheering and waving and clapping.

FOR ME, THE MAIN EVENT OF THE DAY WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!

When our aircraft was taxiing to the Springfield terminal at 2000 hours, another water cannon welcome salute. When we entered the terminal, we stopped for a prayer and recitation of the Oath, "I, state your name, do solemnly swear...". Then we entered the terminal proper through a double line of (in dress uniforms) local police, fire department, Missouri State Troopers and then... OVER 2000 PEOPLE, signs, many signs all hand made, clapping, cheering, hollering WELCOME HOME! THANK YOU, young and old stepping out to shake hands, a hug here and there. All the way from the boarding area to the terminal front doors. I was smiling, making eye contact as often as I could, saying Thank You, and had (and still have) tears in my eyes. I am 79 and this was the most emotional experience of my life. Monuments, I took pictures, but there are no words to describe the feelings I have from that heartfelt welcome. Who comes out at 2000 on a week night to see people they don't know...Missouri people, Arkansas people. People that CARE.

For many Vietnam veterans, Honor Flight isn't just a trip to Washington. It's the Welcome Home we waited a lifetime to hear.

If you have the opportunity to go..GO.
If you have the opportunity to volunteer..DO IT.
If you can go as a Guardian...DO IT.

GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I figure there are a lot of people more deserving than me.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
I figure there are a lot of people more deserving than me.

Stepping up for this country makes you deserving. Please do let the opportunity pass you by.

quote:

It's the Welcome Home we waited a lifetime to hear.

So freakin amazing. I'm glad this happened for you, is there a way to donate to this?

That is simply wonderful, thank you for sharing!

Honor Flight Network link

There are local Honor Flight "units", like the one I was on: Honor Flight of the Ozarks.


I used to wear a paracord bracelet in yellow, green and red, to mimic a Vietnam service ribbon. I took a new one with me, intending to leave my old one at the base of Panel W5, Line 33. I chose to give the new one to a Marine vet I met on the flight. I was embarrassed so I gave it to his daughter for him.