We entered the Southwest terminal of McCarran International Airport on
Sunday, October 29, 2017 to the stirring wail of Scottish bagpipes, a Flag
Honor Guard, and the non-stop applause and thanks of hundreds of people
of all ages and ethnic groups.
It was a bit overwhelming to look into their faces, to see and feel the outpouring
of love and appreciation for something the veterans of WWII and Korea—had done
so many years ago. It was the perfect ending for our trip to Washington D.C.—one
sponsored by “Honor Flight of Southern Nevada.”
Our journey began on October 27 with a warm send-off at the airport by the
USO and the other passengers waiting at the terminal gate, and it just kept getting
better.
Upon our arrival in Baltimore we were unexpectedly greeted by a large crowd
of people who could not thank us enough for our service. One young man—no doubt,
himself a vet—stood at attention and saluted as we walked by. It was a humbling,
heart-rendering experience, one we would receive at almost every memorial we visited.
Seeing the monuments was indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity, made possible
by the dedicated volunteers of “Honor Flight,” but it was more the good people we
met along the way that made our journey a truly memorable one. This was especially
true of the youngsters—Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, students from the local schools,
and those just there with their Moms and Dads—who lined up to shake our hands
and thank us for our service.
I believe I speak for all the vets when I say, if we could go back and do it all over
again to insure they grow up in a free world, with minds unfettered by any form of
oppressive government, we would do so in a heartbeat. They are our future.
A final note. Our group was comprised of twenty-seven veterans from two wars,
WWII and Korea. It was a special honor for me, as a Korean War Vet, to have made
this trip in the company of twenty-one of the finest men of “The Greatest Generation.”
Sunday, October 29, 2017 to the stirring wail of Scottish bagpipes, a Flag
Honor Guard, and the non-stop applause and thanks of hundreds of people
of all ages and ethnic groups.
It was a bit overwhelming to look into their faces, to see and feel the outpouring
of love and appreciation for something the veterans of WWII and Korea—had done
so many years ago. It was the perfect ending for our trip to Washington D.C.—one
sponsored by “Honor Flight of Southern Nevada.”
Our journey began on October 27 with a warm send-off at the airport by the
USO and the other passengers waiting at the terminal gate, and it just kept getting
better.
Upon our arrival in Baltimore we were unexpectedly greeted by a large crowd
of people who could not thank us enough for our service. One young man—no doubt,
himself a vet—stood at attention and saluted as we walked by. It was a humbling,
heart-rendering experience, one we would receive at almost every memorial we visited.
Seeing the monuments was indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity, made possible
by the dedicated volunteers of “Honor Flight,” but it was more the good people we
met along the way that made our journey a truly memorable one. This was especially
true of the youngsters—Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, students from the local schools,
and those just there with their Moms and Dads—who lined up to shake our hands
and thank us for our service.
I believe I speak for all the vets when I say, if we could go back and do it all over
again to insure they grow up in a free world, with minds unfettered by any form of
oppressive government, we would do so in a heartbeat. They are our future.
A final note. Our group was comprised of twenty-seven veterans from two wars,
WWII and Korea. It was a special honor for me, as a Korean War Vet, to have made
this trip in the company of twenty-one of the finest men of “The Greatest Generation.”
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