Are local classic rock station just had a money drive for the honor flight program. They collected more than 47,000.00 dollars that will put over 100 veterans on the flight in are area. I say hats off to them. And it made me look at some of the pictures of some of my dads stuff that came home with him.
I'v gone to a few of those with the Patriot Guard Riders. Its so uplifting to see these guys with the sparkle in their eyes and the jaunt come back to their step. On the way out. On the way back theyre wiped slick. The tour is pretty rigerous and they are kept pretty busy. As the guys and gals come off the ramp, you can see the exaustion, but as soon as they see the crowd, its 1945 all over again and the youth comes right back.. Very worth getting up at 3am to see them off. God knows they did it a few times for you.
What everyone above said. I ride on the Central Missouri Honor Flight escort riders (Patriot Guard Riders plus anyone else who wants to join us) as often as I can. These guys did so much for us. We'll never know just how much. It took my brother and me a couple of years to convince our dad (USN WWII) to go on an Honor Flight. When it was over he wished he would have gone sooner. If you know any WWII vets that haven't been PLEASE convince them to go. I listen to the same station that saltflats refers to. It was pretty cool to hear when they announced how much money was raised. Alice Cooper (yes, that Alice Cooper) has an evening show on the station. I'm sure that it's syndicated around the country and heard on many stations; but he even announced how much was raised on his show. b-t-w; there is absolutely no cost to the veterans going on these flights. Every penny is raised by donations. That includes the stay in a local hotel the night before and the night after, the bus trip to STL Lambert Airport, the flights to/from DC, all meals, etc. Around here, besides the radio station getting involved there are poker runs, 50's dances, and other events, to raise the ca$h. This information is for the Central Missouri Honor Flight, but I imagine that it's the same all over the country. saltflats: that's pretty cool that your dad still has some of his army stuff. I think that the only things I still have from my Navy days are a couple of pics that we found after Mom died a couple of years ago.
My dad was in the Navy during WWII. He saw action in Sicily and North Africa. If he was still alive, he'd love to do this. He brought back this German Iron cross...traded a German prisoner one of his medals for it and I found it in his tool box one day....he gave it to me. It's the marine version made of brass so it wouldn't rust in the salt air. I was in the Army during Viet Nam [66-69] but was sent to Germany for my service.
Very cool story. My dad caught the end of korea and the start of vietnam. He was able to see both memorials before he passed away last september. He was very serious and proud of his service. Instilling a love and respect for our country to his kids. Something that is missing in todays kids. As part of his pre planning he wanted the navy hymn sung. There wasnt a dry eye in the church when it was over. he was buried with full military honors.
I may sound like a sissy but never a dry eye when I think of my dad or all of the men and woman that have served or are serving our country.
The Jalopy Journal
