Welcome home Honor Flight Veterans
Saturday, May 18th, Southeast Florida Honor Flight volunteers will be escorting a full load of veterans on the free trip of a lifetime as the first Honor Flight of 2024 takes off for a daylong trip to Washington, D.C. At 8:20 p.m., the veterans, their volunteer guardians, and volunteer staff will be returning from a full day of being honored and celebrated in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Southeast Florida Honor Flight. Every veteran on the flight has stories to share and memories – some they haven’t thought of in decades, and some they have never shared with anyone. Unlike WWII and the Korean War, when veterans returned home from serving our country in the Vietnam War, instead of being welcomed and applauded, many were spat upon, cursed, and treated with hate. It may be decades later, but it won’t cost you a thing to help heal their spirits and give them the welcome home they truly deserve. Even if you’re not on the flight as a veteran or volunteer guardian, you can help welcome the veterans home after a very moving day in Washington, DC.
One of the veterans on this very special Honor Flight Mission is US Navy veteran, Leora Richter. At just 99 years old, Leora Richter is one of the senior veterans on the May 18th flight, and Honor Flight is delighted to welcome her aboard. She enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and served the country in an administrative/clerical capacity for two years. During that time, Leora had the opportunity to ride in a blimp and found her entire military experience profoundly rewarding. Once her tour of duty finished, she spent three months working in Washington, DC, before getting married and having children. She had a post-military career working as a secretary at a high school before retiring in the Stuart area. If you’d like to thank the Stuart resident for her unflinching courage and service, please come out and join the part at Operation Homecoming on May 18th.
Also clocking in for the May 18th Honor Flight Mission at a little over 101 years old, Russell Stetser enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 and served aboard the USS Coolbaugh. He says there was no basic training at all – they were shipped out of California to the Subic Bay immediately, which housed the largest naval installation in the Philippines and was considered a combat area. During his four years of service, Russell worked as a storekeeper and earned three battle stars for his dedication and bravery. After four years in the service, Russell returned home and joined his family-owned business as an employee, then eventual owner. He also chartered fishing boats, taught Business Education, and was the longest serving School Board President in the history of Gloucester County, New Jersey before retiring to Fort Pierce.
During an Honor Flight mission, veterans on the trip are flown at no cost to Washington, DC, where they are served throughout the day by volunteer guardians who have been trained to ensure the safety and enjoyment of each hero veteran flying and have paid for their own flight. As in the past, a crowd of individuals will gather at Palm Beach International Airport to welcome the veterans home from their epic journey and to honor them for their brave and selfless service to our country. Operation Homecoming, which features music, flags, loads of laughter, and a chance to share the memory of a lifetime with American heroes, is free and open to the public.
Even if you don’t know anyone on the flight, you will find friends and neighbors in the crowd, and you’ll have a chance to cheer the veterans through the final steps of the day most say they remember as second only to their weddings and births of their children. Well-wishers are encouraged to bring signs, flags, and smiles to share with the veterans and guardians as they return, and you are guaranteed to walk away from the event with a lump in your throat, a smile on your face, and gratitude and pride in your heart for these humble heroes you’ve helped welcome home. Remember, some of these veterans never had the welcome home they so deserve. We ask you to help us welcome them home after their Honor Flight mission.
If you, your neighbors, your church or social group, or family and friends are interested in being part of something special, please plan to join the fun and gratitude on Saturday, May 18th at 8:20 p.m. at Palm Beach International Airport. Volunteers from the ground crew will direct you on where to go, but be ready for a heartwarming homecoming for some very special veterans and volunteers. To learn more about Southeast Florida Honor Flight and how you can become involved as a volunteer or to donate to the next flight, please visit www.honorflightsefl.org today.
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