Normandy Jump 2019 by HOMELAND MAGAZINE

SAN DIEGO

MAGAZINE PRESENTS

Normandy Jump 2019 LIBERTAS Film Screening Featuring Honor Flight San Diego Veteran Tom Rice

Tom Rice Interview What Honor Flight means to me

Tour of Honor

Honor Flight San Diego

The best weekend of my life

The Final Mission

Missions Accomplished

2019 Limited Edition Program

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Catch a film. Be inspired. Build community.

September 24-29, 2019 JOIN US FOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 USS MIDWAY MUSEUM

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Welcome to Normandy Jump 2019 and the special screening of Libertas The documentary is the first in the Normandy Jump 2019 series and will be released to the public this fall, but you are seeing it first here today! The documentaries are being produced by Speed and Angels Productions who have produced numerous award-winning documentaries. All three documentaries will feature Coronado, California native Tom Rice. Tom was a paratrooper during WWII and was attached to the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division when he parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day on June 6, 1944. Tom went back to Normandy in June 2019 and parachuted in to the same drop zone to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. This largescale event culminated with dozens of vintage aircraft, hundreds of paratroopers and civilian parachutists from 25 countries who re-enacted the largest living history event of our lifetime. Tom was 97 years old when he jumped in 2019 and his journey is being documented in the three-part series. Tom’s tie to Honor Flight San Diego is that he went on his “Tour of Honor” in 2012 and for him the experience gave him a new perspective on life. By attending the screening, you are supporting Honor Flight San Diego and veterans like Tom. Honor Flight San Diego is the nonprofit organization that takes the most senior veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built for their service and sacrifice. The trip is more than visiting memorials; it is also a time to bond with newfound friends, gain closure and truly be thanked for their service to the United States of America! Proceeds from this event will help to support getting WWII and Korea War veterans on the fall 2019 flight to Washington, D.C. The veterans travel at no cost to them - it is the least we can do to say THANK YOU for their service. And thank you for supporting Normandy Jump 2019. Proceeds from this event will also help to get Tom Rice back to Normandy in 2020. At 98 years old and pending funding, he plans to jump with a fellow WWII veteran. If you enjoyed today’s screening, you can pre-order the DVD by going to: www.NormandyJump2019.com and if you enter the code “Honor Flight” at checkout, then Honor Flight San Diego will receive $5 for every pre-order.

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We thank you for your support of Normandy Jump 2019 and Honor Flight San Diego – our organizations could not do it without your help! For more information about Honor Flight San Diego, please visit: www.HonorFlightSanDiego.org And lastly, we would like to thank our sponsors The Village Theater Coronado, The Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar, Bruegger’s Bagels, Clayton’s Bakery and Bistro, Miguel’s Cocina and San Diego Veterans Magazine. We hope you enjoy the documentary! CJ Machado, Producer of Normandy Jump 2019 Mark Vizcarra, Director of Normandy Jump 2019 Tom Rice, WWII Paratrooper Honor Flight San Diego

SAN DIEGO

INSIDE THE PROGRAM 4 Welcome to Special Screening LIBERTAS

6 Normandy Jump 2019 Flying High with History

12 Honor Flight San Diego “It was the best weekend of my life!”

16 Honor Flight San Diego Tour of Honor - The Final Mission

14 Honor Flight San Diego Tom Rice Interview

22 Honor Flight San Diego Our Mission & Support

DIGITAL VERSION AVAILABLE www.HonorFlightSanDiego.org www.NormandyJump2019.com

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My name is CJ Machado, patriot to the flag and to those who fought to preserve it, to those who died to protect it.

Normandy Jump 2019 “LIBERTAS”

CJ Machado & Colonel Tim Tarris, USAF, Retired

Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day “Libertas” is the first in the three-part Normandy Jump 2019 documentary series. The film title was inspired by our nation’s Statue of Liberty. A gift from the people of France to the people of America in celebration of our unity and allegiance to democracy. “Libertas” is Latin for the word liberty and is the Roman goddess and personification of liberty. She stands for the most cherished right a person can possess…Freedom. 6

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As a photojournalist, I practice that right to act, speak and think without constraint. My name is CJ Machado, patriot to the flag and to those who fought to preserve it, to those who died to protect it. Through the years I’ve had the honor to meet and write about our veterans, paying homage to our “Greatest Generation.” For it was these ordinary men that became extraordinary heroes and saved the world. This is a recount of how the largest living historical event of our lifetime, the 75th anniversary of D-Day was able to be documented on film. I was on assignment with Homeland/San Diego Veterans Magazine at the 2018 Planes Of Fame (POF) Air Show in Chino, CA.

He gave them the complete paratrooper experience by placing parachute packs on their backs and had them march around with the Team as he explained to them that this is what is was like to be a WWII paratrooper.

My objective was to interview and document the remaining WWII veterans at the “Veteran’s History Project” tent. Serendipitously, Normandy veteran, C-53D Skytrooper, D-Day Doll and the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team (ADT) re-created a WWII parachute drop. Canopies filled the Chino skies as spectators stood in awe watching the Round Canopy Parachuting Team from Frederick, Oklahoma demonstrate a D-Day drop.

Colonel Steeley demonstrated that our greatest contribution will be the value of freedom we instill in the minds of our youth and in the hearts of our children. A deep respect and admiration was felt toward the Colonel. He must have felt it too, because it didn’t take him long to recruit me to enroll and document their upcoming Jump School.

WWII medic, Ed “Doc” Pepping from the 101st Airborne Division, was one of the spectators. “Doc” parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and worked alongside medics, Robert Wright and Willard Moore at the aid station set up in the 11th century church at Augoville-au-Plain. They saved close to a hundred lives, both soldiers and civilians alike, including wounded German soldiers.

As the mother of twin sixteen year-old girls, there was absolutely no way I was going to jump out of a perfectly good airplane with that kind of responsibility. Especially with my fear of heights. It was the Colonel’s sweet, southern charm that did however convince me to document their upcoming Jump School. Now remember, I had no intention on participating in Jump Training until…I met the copilot of D-Day Doll, Tim Tarris. Tarris is a retired Air Force Colonel that has to be one of the biggest flirts I have ever met, but he was quickly forgiven due to his outward devotion to his wife Vicky for almost fifty years. Colonel Tarris convinced me that Doll’s most challenging mission was yet to come.

It was a typical hot day in May and it was even hotter if dressed in full paratrooper gear. After the paratrooper demonstration, every ADT member found shade underneath the wing of D-Day Doll. Ninety-six year-old Pepping awaited them. As each ADT member returned from jump ops, “Doc” extended his hand in gratitude to thank them for remembering and honoring his service through their public presentation. According to the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs, we are losing over three hundred WWII veterans every day. The time will come when none will remain and only their memories of dedicated service will be left for us to remember and pass on to the next generation.

The Colonel explained that “Doll” was about to embark on a journey to commemorate the most significant day in our history…D-Day. Doll would be traveling cross country, cross the Atlantic and then cross the English channel with other C-47’s as she did nearly seventy-five years ago. The D-Day Squadron is the largest group of Dakotas organized to cross the Atlantic since D-Day.

It was ADT’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Raymond Steeley that caught my immediate attention. He was impressive in stature and his gentle nature proved that the strength of a man is not measured by muscle and rank alone. Colonel Steeley took favor with the nearby enthusiastic youth. He encouraged Noah Comstock who was dressed in head to toe paratrooper gear and his sister Maddie to participate in the manifest.

CJ Machado

Their journey replicated the C-47’s most significant mission, “Operation Overlord.”

“Doc” Pepping & Franky Ortega

J. Tehan & R. Morris

Col. Steeley Maddie & Noah

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Vintage aircraft from all over the world were meeting to drop hundreds of paratroopers and parachutists into Normandy, France to celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Well, that did it for me. A challenge and something meaningful to support. Once I committed to Jump School, I was motivated to earn my commemorative wings and document the largest living historical event of our lifetime. That endeavor would require a film team that was well experienced in military projects, which led me to my film partner and former “Top Gun” pilot, Viz Vizcarra, founder of Speed and Angels productions.

He was tough and relentless as he repeatedly drilled in those ninety-degree line angles out the door. Which seemed insignificant at the time. It wasn’t until we were in the aircraft approaching the door that we realized just how much those ninety-degree angles mattered. A basic skill that could either save your life… or take it. As our training continued, Tehan and the other instructors were determined to have us succeed. We reviewed the basic parts of a round canopy parachute and received an extensive overview of airborne operations. They suspended us in parachutes from the hangar ceiling like little rag dolls as we practiced safety procedures and addressed parachute malfunctions. We had to prove our efficiency in pulling our reserve since it was the single most important exercise in the entire training. We walked through jump commands in a staged aircraft cabin that we referred to as “The cage” because it was a trailer on wheels with fencing wrapped around it. Over and over again, we passed the static line, then out the door we went with a tuck and hold position. They dragged us on our back with a steel plate to simulate what it would be like if you landed and were dragged by trapped air in the parachute. For days we practiced parachute landing falls known as PLF’s, in a sand pit until we could align the curvature of our body with the ground.

We both share the same passion for making films that honors those who’ve served. At the time, Viz had just completed “Thud Pilots,” a documentary about his father who flew the F-105 during Vietnam. The timing was perfect. Viz agreed to travel to Frederick, Oklahoma and shoot on location at an old Army Air Base from WWII, home to the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team. Our Drill Instructor was Marine Corps veteran, Master Sergeant John Tehan. Being a Marine, he was already in my favor, “Whenever in need, call a Marine” has always held true with me.

Art & Shane Shaffer & CJ Machado

Vincent J. Speranza & CJ Machado

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In order to pass onto the next phase of jumping, we had to demonstrate our proficiency in all airborne procedures. There were many students that could not continue the program. On our first day of jump ops, we were so physically and mentally exhausted that no one seemed overly anxious as we marched toward ADT’s C-47, “Boogie Baby.” It wasn’t until we sat on the plane and started to ascend that jumping out of a perfectly good plane was quickly becoming a reality. We hadn’t reached the six-minute mark and my legs were shaking uncontrollably.

Film Team

Team Tom Rice

I was terrified. I started hyperventilating as I watched the earth become farther and farther away. I was on the first stick and backing out was not an option. I’m too stubborn and committed for that, but I did ask myself many times, why in the hell would anyone do this?… on purpose? Either way, I was determined to jump out or pass out, whichever came first.

gorgeous. I was convinced that the beauty of the sunset was going to be remembered as the end of my life. I finally landed in a muddy mess about a foot deep and to my amazement, I was completely intact, until the trapped winds in my parachute decided to drag my bottom all across the fields of Oklahoma. Once I recovered, I was in an uncontrollable fury, muttering obscenities under my breath as I blamed Colonel Tarris’ crooked smile and Colonel Steeley’s southern charm for getting me into this muddy mess. Damn them!

The only thing that calmed my fears was a picture I noticed that was taped onto the cabin wall. It was a picture of a WWII paratrooper. He couldn’t have been twenty years old. The picture was in memory of his service. It was at that moment, I internalized that the “Greatest Generation” were very young men. I knew that to be true, but it wasn’t until my state of panic that I felt their sacrifice sit deep within my gut.

It was terrifying. It was exhausting, but I made it. I made it! I completed the required five jumps in a round canopy parachute and “earned my commemorative wings” with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team. In a lifetime of memories, I doubt any will exceed the honor of having my wings being pinned by Ninety-three year- old, “Battle of the Bulge,” Vincent J. Speranza.

It bothered me that I was so scared. I felt I dishonored their service with my irrational thoughts. My fears were put on hold as I pondered the point of their existence almost seventy-five years ago. These young men had the weight of the world on their shoulders and the price of freedom was paid at the perilous risk of their souls. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of our Jump Master yelling, “Six minutes.” “Stand up…hook up… ready” and a thumbs up quickly followed. Then the Jump Master yelled “GO!” …And out the door we went, engulfed into the uncertain atmosphere.

Speranza is famous for serving beer from his helmet to a wounded comrade in Bastogne. His legacy remains in the hearts of the people in Belgium and still to this day they serve “Airborne” Beer from a ceramic helmet in his honor. Once our film team was back in San Diego, our primary goal was to interview the remaining WWII paratroopers that served on D-Day. We reached out to our friends with Honor Flight San Diego, an organization dedicated to taking our WWII and Korean War Veterans to Washington DC to see their memorials. Tom was an Honor Flight San Diego alumnus. They put me in touch with Tom Rice’s guardian angel and good friend, Christophe Dugas. A Frenchman from Montpellier who was eternally grateful for his country to have been liberated by these brave me. Christophe did not want Tom’s service to be forgotten. He was determined to fulfill Tom’s ambitious wish to jump in the same drop zone as he did seventy-five years ago, in honor of his comrades that can’t.

In less than two seconds I felt the jerk of the parachute opening and that’s when the real terror began. My lines were tangled and I contemplated pulling my reserve until the rational part of my brain reminded me to cycle. I cycled my legs as if I was in the “Tour de France” until those lines finally untangled. The land approached quickly. I was frantic trying to find the drop zone arrow to guide myself in, but with a round canopy parachute, you are mostly at the mercy of the wind and your weight. It was dusk and the sunset on the horizon was absolutely

Tom Rice & Nicolas Ancellin

My first meeting with Tom was in the presence of Christophe and Tom’s lovely wife Brenda.

Tom & Dawn Dugas

Tom Rice & Denis Van Den Brink

Tom & Brenda Rice

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It was Brenda that officially inducted me as part of “Team Tom Rice.” We were so impressed with Tom, our film team decided to have Tom Rice’s return to Normandy be the central part of our upcoming documentaries. Christophe was concerned for Tom jumping due to his agility and age. He went to great lengths to help Tom prepare for the jump and to minimize potential injury. He introduced him to his long-time friend, CrossFit Coronado owner and trainer, Clint Russell. Clint started working with Tom in January 2019, twice a week up until his jump into Normandy. It took tremendous coordination by many organizations, businesses and the support of friends and family to bring Tom’s dream to fruition. One of the organizations directly involved with Tom’s jump was the Round Canopy Parachuting Team (RCPT). Hubert Achten, President of RCPT UK sponsored Tom Rice’s jump and arranged for the most qualified tandem jumper to drop Tom. Art Shaffer with RCPT Skydive Palatka was chosen due to his extensive jump experience with well over seventeen thousand jumps. In the meantime, Colonel Tarris with D-Day Doll arranged for our film team to document Doll’s journey across the United States before her Atlantic crossing. Doll’s final stop was in Oxford, Connecticut where she and the D-Day Squadron encircled our symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty.” While D-Day Doll was headed to Normandy, “Team Tom Rice’s” journey began on Delta Airlines. Tom was given the “First Class” treatment with a catered reception, boarding ceremony and a traditional military “water cannon salute” as we taxied off the runway. We arrived in France, the primary country that helped secure America’s independence and freedom. From Paris we traveled to Tracey-le-Mont where Tom’s ancestors hailed from. The townspeople suffered greatly during the takeover by Nazi Germany and they were beyond grateful for Tom’s return. Every town member came to greet him and thank him. Mayor Sylvie Valente Le Hir inducted Tom Rice as an honorary citizen of Traceyle-Mont. It was apparent that the people of France have not forgotten their liberators and they took an astonishing effort to make certain Tom knew it. The town of Carentan sponsored “Team Tom Rice” with accommodations and the “Red Carpet” treatment. Mayor Jean Pierre Llenour himself hosted a banquet in his executive office complete with honey brought from his own beehive.

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Carentan’s press attache, Denis Van Den Brink included Tom in every dedication, parade and military march during the commemoration ceremonies. People from all over the world came to see revered “Screaming Eagle,” Sergeant Rice. Multi-generations of families from France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK came to pay tribute to Tom and the paratroopers that saved their countries from certain extinction. They waited in line for hours just to see him, to touch him, to be near him… to thank him. Some traveled thousands of miles to share their stories of liberation. I have never witnessed such gratitude of nations in wanting to express their sincere appreciation. The day finally came to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, “Operation Overlord.” Dakotas from all over the world lined the Cherbourg runway waiting to drop the massive group of parachutists. It was D-Day veteran, C-47 Sky Train, ‘Drag ‘em’ Oot’ that once again fulfilled her duty and dropped paratrooper Tom Rice behind the Normandy beach heads. Normandy Paratrooper, Tom Rice impressed the world as he landed in the same drop zone as he did seventyfive years ago. Tom’s jump made international news with over 20 million views and counting. Because of the love and appreciation of a gentleman from Montpellier, the collaboration of the beholden town of Carentan and the generosity and support of the Round Canopy Parachuting Team, Tom’s service and the sacrifice will never be forgotten. Tom was ninety-seven years old and is committed to jumping until he’s one hundred and one for the 101st Airborne Division. Airborne! All The Way!

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November 2018

“It was the best weekend of my life!” By Holly Shaffner

Our nation’s World War II veterans served between 1939 and 1945. If they enlisted at 17 years old, that makes our youngest WWII veterans around the age of 90. So when a WWII veteran returns from their “Tour of Honor” and tells a reporter that his/her trip was the best weekend of their life…that is HUGE! The “Tour of Honor” trip is provided by Honor Flight San Diego, a local non-profit organization that takes the most senior veterans and veterans who have terminal illnesses to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The trip is more than just visiting memorials - it is also a time for these veterans to make new friends, share their stories and build that military camaraderie they may have missed for the last 70+ years. For three straight days, they are honored, thanked and appreciated for their military service and for some it is emotional. For the majority of the WWII veterans, they answered the call of duty and did what our nation asked of them. After war there was no celebration, no homecoming when they returned from war and the majority of them went back to work in the civilian job they had left behind. One of the biggest challenges for Honor Flight San Diego is locating the remaining Southern California WWII veterans. According to census results, there are about 240,000 military veterans living in San Diego County. David Smith is the founder of Honor Flight San Diego and said, “Finding those remaining WWII veterans and getting them on their “Tour of Honor” before it is too late is one of our greatest challenges.” Honor Flight San Diego has been flying veterans since 2010 and after this past September trip, the organization has taken over 1,300 veterans – the vast majority being WWII veterans. The trip is at no cost to the veteran and is 100% funded through donations. That is the next biggest challenge. Each flight costs about $240,000 and they do as many as they can fund, usually two flights per year. Julie Brightwell took over as chairman in January 2017 and had to make the heart-wrenching decision to cancel their spring 2017 flight due to lack of funding. Ms. Brightwell said, “If funding were not an issue, we could take two to four trips a year, including a special flight such as an all-woman veteran flight and we could get to the Vietnam era veterans sooner.” 12

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Every flight is unique with the veteran’s stories, backgrounds and military service. What remains the same is that each flight is comprised of 80 veterans from either WWII or Korea era and each veteran has a guardian - someone who is their “battle buddy” for the weekend. Even though these veterans do not consider themselves heroes, the organization calls them heroes and a typical flight could have men or women from any of the five armed services, former Prisoners of War, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipients, veterans over the age of 100 and veterans who served in every battle during WWII or Korea. Some of those heroes over the years have been men who saw the flag being raised on Iwo Jima, men who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, Pearl Harbor Survivors, Bullfrog 1, Chosin Reservoir Survivors, and military women supporting those efforts. Each trip is filled with unique stories - one of the Navy’s first black Chief Petty Officers who recently had a building named for him at Naval Air Station North Island, brothers who served together, a veteran who was a child and survived the Holocaust to become a U.S. military member, and a Korea era veteran who was just eight years old when he and his family were taken as prisoners in WWII – he and one of the camp’s liberators who freed him were together on the trip.

The veterans are flown by charter aircraft to BWI airport and it is on this leg of the trip they receive a big surprise – Mail Call. They are given letters, cards and pictures made by local scout troops, elementary schools and organizations. But the ones that are most special are those from their family. Each veteran receives a package of mail and they open every envelope and handle every letter and picture with great care.

A typical flight starts with the Honor Flight San Diego volunteer team leaders arriving at the airport at 0400 on the Friday they fly out. They set up and are ready for when the first veteran arrives to check-in. The veterans are told to be there by 0600 but many are so excited that many can’t sleep the night before and arrive to airport as the team is setting up.

On Friday night they get checked into their rooms, have a group dinner and then retire for the night. On Saturday they board charter buses and head to Washington, D.C. Their first stop is the National WWII Memorial, followed by the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the U.S. Air Force Memorial and the U.S. Navy Yard Museum. One of the most impactful stops is at Arlington National Cemetery where they witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The women veterans stop at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial where they are greeted by retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught and are presented with certificates and entered into the memorial’s database. Continued on next page >

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The final surprise of the trip is the San Diego homecoming. The doors open to the plane and they can already hear the crowd cheering for them – but they don’t know it is for them. They get to the top of the escalator or the elevator and it is a sea of red, white and blue, American flags and 800-1000 people chanting – USA! USA! USA! When they realize this is THEIR homecoming, it is hard to control the emotions, even for the most hardened of the military men and women.

This is the homecoming they deserve, because after all, they are our HEROES!

If you know a WWII or Korea era veteran who wants to go on Tour of Honor, or to learn more about the organization, or donate to the non-profit, please go to: www.honorflightsandiego.org. You can also follow them on Facebook@HonorFlightSanDiego. Photo Credits: Zach Coco, Dian Self, Heather Shough, Holly Shaffner, Dave Ballek

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TOUR OF HONOR Do you know a WWII or Korea War veteran who has never flown on theirvHonor Flight ?

Sign-Up For A Future Trip information@honorflightsandiego.org

Please complete the Veteran Application at: www.honorflightsandiego.org

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Tour of Honor – The Final Mission By Holly Shaffner

MAY 2019 There are few times in a person’s life when they can say an event was “life-changing” but that is how many guardians feel about their experience on Honor Flight San Diego. An able-bodied guardian is paired with a WWII or Korea War veteran to be their “battle buddy” for a threeday trip that is a weekend full of memories – for the guardian and the veteran. Honor Flight San Diego returned from their May 2019 trip after taking 83 veterans on their “final mission”. The Tour of Honor trip was provided by Honor Flight San Diego, a local non-profit organization that takes the most senior veterans and veterans who have terminal illnesses to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The trip is more than just visiting memorials - it is also a time for these veterans to make new friends, share their stories and build that military camaraderie they may have missed for the last 75+ years. For three straight days, they are thanked and appreciated for their military service. Prior ABC San Diego military reporter Bob Lawrence went on the trip as a guardian for Navy Korea War veteran Bill Ohler. “Seeing the memorials through their eyes was inspirational,” said Lawrence.

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“But the impromptu thank you’s to the veterans for their service was the most memorable.” It all starts at zero-dark-thirty when the veterans arrive to the airport and are greeted at the curb by Honor Flight volunteers to help them with their bags and push them in a wheelchair to check-in where they are greeted with a hug by their team leaders. And that starts the 72-hour whirlwind trip. They are flown by charter aircraft to Baltimore, MD and on this leg of the trip they receive a big surprise – Mail Call. They are given letters, cards and pictures made by local scout troops, elementary schools and organizations. But the ones that are most special are those from their family. Each veteran receives a package of mail and they open every envelope and handle every letter and picture with great care. When the flight lands at BWI, the veterans are greeted by the airport’s fire department with a water salute that is normally reserved for retiring pilots. As they exit the plane, there is patriotic music playing and active duty, veterans and other travelers welcome them to Baltimore. As the veterans get through a gauntlet of well-wishers, they say that they have never felt so special. Little do they know more is coming.

The next day the veterans and guardians board charter buses and head to Washington, D.C. where they are escorted by local motorcycle groups and park police who part the sea of traffic.

Joe Kalla

“Dear Hero, Thank you for helping us and protecting us. Thank you for serving the USA and doing your best to help us. You saved us and had the guts to fight for us”

Throughout the day they visit the National WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the U.S. Air Force Memorial and the U.S. Navy Yard Museum. One of the most impactful stops is at Arlington National Cemetery where they witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. While the ceremony itself is silent, the guards salute the WWII vets who line the area by doing a quick scuff of their shoe heel on the pavement. The women veterans stop at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial where they are greeted by retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught and are presented with certificates and entered into the memorial’s database. Throughout the day, they are honored, thanked for the service, given hugs and kisses and they reminisce about their time in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. The final surprise of the trip is the San Diego homecoming. The doors open to the plane and they can already hear the crowd cheering for them – but they don’t know it is for them. They get to the top of the escalator or the elevator and it is a sea of red, white and blue, American flags and 1000 people chanting – USA! USA! USA! When they realize this is THEIR homecoming, it is hard to control the emotions, even for the most hardened of the military men and women.

Continued on next page >

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Frank Manchel

“My father’s passing was the ending to the most amazing weekend, surrounded by his newest best friends. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful life.” - Bruce Manchel

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On this last trip there was one veteran who got a different kind of homecoming. His name was Frank Manchel and he was 95 years old and served as a Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Frank had just spent the weekend with two of his sons, his nephew, and his 92 year old WWII vet brother from Michigan, all coordinated through Honor Flight San Diego. Approximately 90 minutes before the flight landed in San Diego, Frank collapsed and passed away. There were chaplain’s on the flight who said prayers for Frank and his family as everyone on the plane sang “God Bless America”. Frank’s WWII veteran ball cap was placed on his head and his body was draped in an American Flag. When he was removed from the plane, the firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel assembled on the ground and delivered final salutes for this fallen hero. While other veterans were being cheered and hugged by their families, this was the homecoming Frank received. Franks son, Bruce, was his guardian on the flight and said, “My father’s passing was the ending to the most amazing weekend, surrounded by his newest best friends. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful life.” Bruce remarked that his dad didn’t talk about the military very much but this trip brought him out of his shell. His family believes that Frank was ready and that this was his final mission. They said that they could not have scripted a better ending for Frank. This story went viral throughout the United States and overseas in the television and print media as well as social media; everyone who heard of this story left condolences for the family. Our nation’s WWII veterans are all over 90 years old. The ending to this story makes one very important point - we need to honor the remaining WWII vets. Every September the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs updates the number of WWII veterans still living and the number who die each day. As of September 30, 2018, only 496,777 of the 16 million WWII veterans were still living and approximately 348 WWII veterans die each day.

Due to generous donors, every veteran goes on the trip at no cost to them. If the organization can raise enough funding their next trip, it will be scheduled for October 2019.

Honor Flight San Diego’s mission could not be more urgent – to get the remaining Southern California WWII veterans on their final mission before it is too late. The organization knows there are hundreds of WWII veterans living in Southern California who do not know about Honor Flight and who would enjoy this trip. The urgency is on to locate our WWII veterans and send them on the trip of a lifetime.

If you know a WWII veteran who has not been on their Tour of Honor, or if you would like to donate, please go to: www.honorflightsandiego.org. You can also follow the organization on Facebook@HonorFlightSanDiego.

WWW.HonorFlightSanDiego.org / AUGUST 2019

Tom Rice – What Honor Flight has done for me By Holly Shaffner When you ask 97-year-old WWII paratrooper Tom Rice what Honor Flight has done for him, he will tell you the organization has changed his life. Tom went on his “Tour of Honor” in October 2012. The call to go on the trip could not have been timelier. Tom had just lost his wife, he wasn’t taking care of himself, he wasn’t eating and he was sitting in his recliner all day with nothing to do. At 91 years old, he had lost his motivation until his Honor Flight angel, Donna Hester, called him to tell him about the trip. Honor Flight San Diego states the trip sometimes provides closure for the veterans from their wartime experience and sometimes the veterans make new friends, but for Tom this trip was much more than that. Tom was just 10 years old when his 6 year old brother, Joseph, died of double pneumonia. This was in 1931 and he and his family were living in the Norfolk, Virginia area. Fast forward to 2012 when Tom is on his Honor Flight and meets a Naval Officer named Captain Steven Shepard. Captain “Shep” Shepard was part of the Honor Flight family often being a guardian for a WWII veteran or arranging to have a color guard at the hotel dinner or giving a presentation to the Honor Flight attendees about a significant event in Naval history. Tom and Shep met on the Saturday night of the trip. Naturally, Tom asked where he was stationed and Shep told him Norfolk. Tom told him that he had once lived in that area and that his brother was buried in a graveyard in Oceanview but he wasn’t sure where. Shep enlisted the help of his wife, Sandra, who had friends in the local library system. After some research, Sandra and her friends found the location of Tom’s brother. There was no tombstone for Joseph, so the Shepard’s paced off the steps where he should have been laid to rest and then placed flowers on Joseph’s grave. This meant so much to Tom since he had not been able to visit the grave since 1931. This coming fall Tom is returning to Virginia and is planning to visit the cemetery. Because of the Shepard’s heartfelt act of kindness, Tom will be able to locate his brother’s grave. This is just one of the many stories of how Honor Flight San Diego has changed Tom life. Tom & Mike at 101st Airborne Memorial 20

WWW.NormandyJump2019.com / AUGUST 2019

Tom was able to recount his feelings and what he saw on the 2012 trip. One of the special parts of the trip was when Honor Flight stopped the buses in Arlington National Cemetery and let Tom and his guardian off to visit the 101st Airborne Memorial.

Tom is now married to Brenda and when asked how Honor Flight has helped Tom, she said, “What you are giving them is priceless. You are getting them out of their recliners and exposing them to opportunities to get out and talk to younger generations and to share their stories.”

This stop was also special for Tom’s guardian, U.S. Army active duty solider Michael McClure. Mike was assigned to be Tom’s “battle buddy” for the weekend and the Honor Flight leadership knew what they were doing when they assigned the two together. Mike was also a paratrooper and had been assigned to the 101st Airborne Division from 1996-1997.

Tom has done that and so much more. Because of his relationship with Honor Flight, Tom has been invited talk to children in classrooms, to adults at tournaments, to participate in parades and Spirit of `45 events, to visit the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and to visit Pearl Harbor.

Mike had this to say, “We talked about our airborne training experiences (his vastly different than mine), about our experiences in combat (his vastly different than mine), but we shared a bond that only men who have served in combat can share. I was honored to escort Tom on his Tour of Honor and believe that my life is better for having done it and for getting to know Tom and others like him.”

Honor Flight has reinvigorated this WWII hero and that’s what they can do for the special veteran in your life too! To submit a veteran application to go on the trip (at no cost to the veteran), go to: www.honorflightsandiego.org.

The two men came home from the trip and just like every Honor Flight homecoming, they were greeted at the San Diego airport by hundreds of people waving American Flags, hugging and cheering for them. That is the homecoming we wanted for Tom and that is the way we wanted to thank him for his service.

WWW.HonorFlightSanDiego.org / AUGUST 2019

About Honor Flight San Diego Our Mission Honor Flight San Diego (HFSD) is a non-profit branch of the nationwide Honor Flight Network which consists of over 130 independent “hubs” across America. HFSD escorts veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials using monies donated by individuals, foundations, associations, business owners and corporations who wish to recognize our veterans’ contributions and thank them for their service and sacrifice to the United States and its citizens. Top priority for our trips is given to the most senior veterans, currently World War II and Korea War survivors, and to veterans who are terminally ill. Of all of the wars in recent memory, World War II truly threatened our very existence as a nation and as a culturally diverse and free society. With hundreds of World War II veterans passing away each day, the opportunity to express our sincere thanks to these brave men and women is running out. Our Korea War veterans were called to serve just five short years after our WWII veterans in what is called “The Forgotten War.” The time for honoring these men and women is growing short as well. We say thank you to all of our veterans and extend a special thanks to our most senior veterans for their dedication and commitment to protecting the freedoms enjoyed by so many here in the greatest nation on earth, the United States of America. We invite our veterans to join us on your “Tour of Honor” and we hope everyone else can provide a donation that will help support these memorable trips. Sincerely, David A. Smith Founder, Honor Flight San Diego Julie Brightwell Chairman, Honor Flight San Diego 22

WWW.NormandyJump2019.com / AUGUST 2019

SAN DIEGO

Please Support Honor Flight San Diego We have a long list of local WWII and Korea War Veterans waiting to take our “Tour of Honor” and most are in their 80’s or 90’s to over 100 years old. In fact, a Pearl Harbor survivor veteran on one of our recent trips was 103! So there is an extreme sense of urgency in raising monies as quickly as we can to coordinate as many trips as possible. Please help fund our next Honor Flight San Diego (HFSD) “Tour of Honor” by making a donation today! Your contribution covers the cost of escorting our Veterans to Washington, D.C. at no cost to them. Donate by Credit Card You may donate using your credit card or PayPal account. If you are making a donation in “memory” or “honor” of someone special, please insert this information under “Add special instructions to the seller.” Donate by Check HFSD welcomes donations in any amount and we thank you for your support. You can make a donation in “memory” or “honor” of a special person by notating that on the memo line of the check. Make your check payable to Honor Flight San Diego, and mail it to: Honor Flight San Diego Attn: Donations 9423 Keck Court San Diego, California 92129 Honor Flight San Diego Gear We have official Honor Flight San Diego gear listed on our website and your purchase helps fund our “Tour of Honor” and promotes our mission throughout San Diego! Available items include caps, jackets, sweatshirts, DVD’s, t-shirts and polos, pins and lanyards and much more. Your Donations are Tax Deductible! Honor Flight San Diego is an IRS approved 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization so your donations and all of your purchases in support of our mission are tax-deductible! Tax ID# 27-3792604 For more information and or to support Honor Flight San Diego, please visit :

www.honorflightsandiego.org

WWW.HonorFlightSanDiego.org / AUGUST 2019

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Vol. 1 Number 1 • March 2019 Issue

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Vol. 1 Number 7 • JULY 2019 Issue

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Vol. 1 Number 9 • September 2019 Issue

San Diego Veteran Tom Rice

The Month of Independence

Normandy Jump 2019

San Diego Air Show

San Diego

Why Women’s Military History is Important

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History of the Blue Angeles

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Transitioning

PLEDGE - SALUTE

Enlisted To Entrepreneur

“COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS”

“Welcome Home” Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration

To Civilian Life

Catalina Island

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San Diego Veterans Organizations A Call For Community

Military Money

I AM A VETERAN Resources • Support • Community • Transition • Inspiration

9/11

Our Personal Security

NEVER FORGET What’s Next

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A TIME FOR HEROES

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FIGHTING

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Tour of Honor

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A Heart Attack of the Mind

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AFTER 50 YEARS

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Miramar National Cemetery

pre·par·ed·ness A State of Readiness

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Remember The Difference LEGAL EAGLE

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Memorial Day Veterans Transitioning Enlisted To Entrepreneur

Finding Help and Hope

Resources • Support • Transition • Community

Getting Through Depression

Veteran Leadership Resources • Support • Transition • Inspiration

WWW.NormandyJump2019.com / AUGUST 2019

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 1

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FOR MILITARY KIDS SAN DIEGO Organizations Stepping Up For Military Children

Enlisted To Entrepreneur LEGAL EAGLE

Month of the Military Child 100th Anniversary of Easterseals

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WWW.HonorFlightSanDiego.org / AUGUST 2019

Caring for our veterans

Veterans facing the challenges associated with a life-threatening illness can rely on The Elizabeth Hospice for the medical, emotional and spiritual support they need and deserve. Our skilled, compassionate caregivers are trained to address PTSD, depression, anxiety, survivorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guilt, and soul injury. Complementary therapies, including physical therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy and pet visits, are used in combination with medical support to help alleviate pain. We celebrate and thank our patients for their service at bedside pinning ceremonies officiated by a veteran or active duty service member. Since 1978, The Elizabeth Hospice has touched the lives of more than 100,000 people in San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County. To learn more about our hospice care, palliative care and grief support services for veterans, call 800.797.2050 or visit www.elizabethhospice.org.

The Elizabeth Hospice is proud to be a We Honor Veterans Level 5 Partner, the highest level of distinction.

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HONOR OUR VETERANS! Invest in the future of Miramar National Cemetery Hundreds of veterans, active duty military, families, businesses, and the public have invested in the future of Miramar National Cemetery. Thanks to their generous contributions The Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation sponsors: • The Avenue of Flags • Veterans Tribute Tower & Carillon • Annual Veterans Memorial Services • Annual Veterans Day Observances • Coordinates Veterans Memorial Monuments

Honor our past, present, and future military veterans! Send your donation, today, to the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation All contributions are fully tax deductible.

Help the Foundation Support Miramar National Cemetery. Please go to www.miramarcemetery.org and click on “Contribute” for information about how you can donate to the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation.

WWW.HonorFlightSanDiego.org / AUGUST 2019

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