Mrs. A. has signed us up to be greeters for several "honor flights" into DC in the near future. Apparently, these are chartered excursions designed to allow veterans to view various war memorials, and events associated with their service. The program is partially sponsored by her employer, and I have little to no information on the agenda or what is expected of us other than to act as a "greeter" and help make these veterans comfortable. I am delighted and honored to participate, and hope that I can contribute to making our heros feel that they are appreciated.

So I know that we have a lot of veterans here, and wonder if anybody has participated in this sort of thing. If so, advice on what to do, and what not to do, would be welcome.

It doesn't help you with any intel on the ground, but I've flown with Captains who had the honor of flying our treasured Veterans to these events. Every one of them said it was a blessing they could be a part of it.

Enjoy your day(s) with them, architect!!!

I participate in the Old Dominion Honor Flight chapter. I provide EMS services. We make two trips per year one in the Spring and one in the Fall from Richmond, VA to DC. We visit the Marine Corp Museum, The WWII Memorial, Vietnam and Korean Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider for the changing of the guards ceremony. At each stop we always have greeters (which I assume is what Mrs. A signed you up for) that welcome our veterans, thanks them for their service, clap, etc. It’s such a fun day for the veterans and I’ve enjoyed working with them. Our next trip is April 20.

Chris

I’ve done escort motorcycle rides on Honor flights, great experience. Once we arrive at our destination, usually from here, it’s the USMC museum, we line the walk way as the vets enter the museum. The we go in and end up talking with them. It’s a great day, great stories, and awsome experience.

On a side, saw Taking Chance which is on topic. I learned quite a bit about the thoughts of people involved in the process of bringing our men and women home. Not the same but I would expect similar emotions.

Honoring our veterans........For 9 years I rode motorcycle escort for veterans with a 3ft x 5ft American flag off back of bike and she waved proudly with a group that was called " The Patriot Guard ".... Welcome Home at airports / personal homes etc. / Deployments /etc. for individuals to entire units.... Also standing Honor Guard duty for veterans funeral services / motorcycle escort to the grave site / Honor Guard at grave site / Flag Folders / and if needed to step forward and serve as pallbearers..... Served two fallen Korean War "POW"s that were identified and brought home with the home towns "welcome home for their "fallen son".. This was a labor of love ...................... drill sgt.

I was a chaperone on a Midwest Honor Flight many years ago. A great honor. I covered two vets. Both Army. One WWII Europe the other a Korean War vet. A whirlwind tour of the memorials in DC and the changing of the guard at Arlington. If you can do it.

I kind of pissed off some TSA people in DC on the way back. One old vet misplaced his ID. They were giving him a hard time and making him get out of his wheelchair for “security” checks. I made the comment we were on a private charter flight and this guy fought in Europe and wasn’t likely to make a terrorist strike on a flight. My sarcasm wasn’t appreciated.

Email me and I can let you know when they are happening. We ask for volunteers from the Command here often.

My neighbor across the street has volunteered on three of the flights to assist with almost all of the mobile challenged vets.

It's not a free ride , he has paid his own round trip air fare all three times.

They leave very very early, and arrive back here very very late.
L o o o n g day

I found out about the Honor Flights too late . My Dad passed away before I could get all the necessary info and get things in motion .

There are a lot of videos on Youtube of Honor Flights and you can see how the greeters interact with the veterans. Bless you and your wife for honoring our nation's heros.

quote:

Originally posted by 357fuzz:
I was a chaperone on a Midwest Honor Flight many years ago. A great honor. I covered two vets. Both Army. One WWII Europe the other a Korean War vet. A whirlwind tour of the memorials in DC and the changing of the guard at Arlington. If you can do it.

I kind of pissed off some TSA people in DC on the way back. One old vet misplaced his ID. They were giving him a hard time and making him get out of his wheelchair for “security” checks. I made the comment we were on a private charter flight and this guy fought in Europe and wasn’t likely to make a terrorist strike on a flight. My sarcasm wasn’t appreciated.

I had the same problem with TSA when we were leaving Dullas. TSA wanted the vets to take off their shoes and belts. Most of them were immobile in wheel chairs and I told them if these men had not gone to war we would all be speaking German. The TSA agents were not amused.
It really ticked me off the way they were treated at the airport.
When we left Toledo one of the TSA agents had a towel on his head. I tried to get a reporter to take a pix and publish it with a caption
"What's wrong with this Picture?" but she said no

I'd guess about 275-325 people showed up to welcome home last night's honor flight back to the quad cities airport.

There's one on Oct 12 and when they return to Charlotte from DC our Civil Air Patrol squadron of cadets will be there for the first time. There's 1 per year from Charlotte. The organizers are expecting about 1,000 people to be there when they return. He said it's basically a parade through the airport.