Honor Flight to Honor World War II Vets
Although this blog and site are about Mexico, every now and then I write about something personal, and today it is a privilege to write about Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization created to honor America’s vets for all of the sacrifices they made. We’re going to Washington, DC next week because Honor Flight Network is sending 79 vets from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to DC for the day and Pete Carmine, my father-in-law, is one of those veterans.
Honor Flight is a vast Network of people and resources that flies vets from every state to Washington, DC for the day, transports them and arranges special tours that include the World War II Memorial and the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. All vets are treated as VIP’s for the day, and receive a heroe’s welcome when they arrive in Washington, and again when their plane returns home, all courtesy of Honor Flight Network.
Honor Flight began in 2005, and last year transported more than 18,000 veterans at no cost to the veterans or their guardians! More than 81,000 veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam have had the opportunity to see the memorials built to honor them, thanks to the Honor Flight Network. Although Top priority is given to senior veteran WWII survivors, along with any terminally ill vets, all vets are eligible.
Pete Carmine
Pete on a Friday Night in Gastra, Michigan
Pete Carmine just turned 92. Terry, my husband, and I will already be on the ground in DC when Pete lands with his daughter, Suzie, his guardian for this flight. We’ll follow them throughout the day and have lunch with them at the Memorial.
I’m going to honor Pete and the other vets for all that they did for this country. It breaks my heart that I can’t do it for my dad, Carl Grigus, also a WWII vet, who passed away in 2003, but I can go in his memory. He would have loved to go on this trip and see the vets, the Memorial, and have a day set aside to thank him for his contribution. My dad earned a Purple Heart for injuries received on D-Day in France, and The War had a profound affect on him. I’m proud to go in his honor and to honor Pete and the others on his flight.
Ceiling Tile at the VFW in Iron River, Michigan
World War II Memorial opened in 2004
The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. It is dedicated to all of those soldiers, sons and daughters that were lost in the war.
Be a Part Of the Honor Flight Network
I’m expecting a lot of emotion next week, and I realize how lucky we are to be a part of this extraordinary effort, and fortunate that we can . If Honor Flight did not offer this remarkable trip and honor for the vets, Pete would never go to Washington, DC or see the memorial or get the chance to visit with other soldiers. Time is running out. The WWII vets are in their 80′s and 90′s now, and we are losing about 900 of them a day.
If you know a vet, or someone who has a vet in the family, share this with them and consider:
Volunteering as a guardian for the day from whatever city you live in. You’ll be with one vet for the entire day and all expenses are covered by the Honor Flight Network.
Assisting with flight operations to send off and welcome home the vets and their guardians. Each departure city arranges welcoming crowds.
Contributing to the Honor Flight Network to make another flight possible for other vets. Please go to www.honorflight.org and click on your state to find a local Honor Flight Network Hub. If a donation is made to the Honor Flight Network they keep the money for their end of the operations.
Smaller hubs like the one in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. donations are harder to get due to an older, declining population. The people of the Upper Peninsula have been very generous, but they don’t have the big businesses and larger populations as larger cities. Consider donating to them at www.upperpeninsulahonorflight.org/Donations.html
Please join me in showing recognition and respect to those who have put their lieves on the line for their country! Donate to sponsor an Honor Flight to Honor World War II Vets
Update to Story and details about the trip will be posted next week along with pictures of every vet on the trip!
Special Thanks to Barb Van Rooy, who is the coordinator for this flight from the UP of Michiga