2 minute read
Calling All Veterans
By Holly Shaffner
Honor Flight San Diego is back at it again with a SECOND all-Vietnam Veteran flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C.! The trip is scheduled for Nov. 4-6, 2022.
The organization takes the most senior veterans (currently WWII and Korean War), and terminally ill veterans from any era on a three-day trip to visit the memorials built for their sacrifice, and to truly thank them for their service. Since 2010, they have taken over 1,500 veterans on their Honor Flight and now it’s time for our Vietnam Veterans!
In February 2022, Honor Flight San Diego announced they will be taking the first Vietnam veteran flight from San Diego. The organization made it a unique flight with all Navy HA(L)-3 Seawolves. The Seawolves are the most decorated unit in Naval Aviation history, flew more daytime, nighttime, and combat missions than any other unit, and then were not recognized by Congress until 38 years after the Vietnam War. There will be about 85 Seawolves on the Sept. 30th trip to D.C. as they will visit the Vietnam Wall to honor 44 of their Seawolf brothers who were killed in action. Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legions, there should be no lack of applications for this opportunity.
While in Washington, D.C., veterans will visit the Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials, as well as the Marine Corps and Air Force Memorial, the National Navy Museum, and Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Just like the other 1,500 veterans who have been on Honor Flight, they will be given the homecoming they may not have received after they returned from war as 800-1,000 patriotic San Diegans will welcome them home.
There is a sense of urgency to get these veterans on their Honor Flight. The reality is that the youngest Vietnam veterans are in their mid-60s and the oldest are in their mid-80s, with many who served in two or three wars and are in their 90s. So, no better time to get our Nation’s heroes on their Honor Flight. More flights with Vietnam veterans are planned for 2023 (pending funding), so the org wants all Vietnam vets interested in traveling to get your application in!
Then, less than five weeks after the Honor Flight returns, they will be taking a SECOND all-Vietnam veteran flight. The second flight is called an “Award Flight” and this will be for Vietnam veterans who earned the Purple Heart Medal or higher while serving. With robust organizations in San Diego such as the If you know a WWII, Korean, Vietnam, or terminally ill veteran from any era, ensure they complete an application at: www.HonorFlightSanDiego.org.
Due to generous donors, the veterans travel at no cost to them – it is the least we can all do to say THANK YOU for your service!
