Reflections on an honor flight

Commentary and photos by Cody Rheault

One thousand words hardly describe the image of the military veteran. One could argue they are the quality threads that make up the tapestry of our social fabric, deeply rooted in sacrifice, honor, and duty. Roughly 10 percent of the population in Deschutes Country are veterans. Chances are that one of the 10 people in line with you at the grocery store served this country at one point or another.

I’ve found that veterans often hold dear the values of humility in equal measure to their duty to country. So many of them hold a quiet resolve about their service. It takes eye-to-eye conversations and an empathetic curiosity to hear those stories. Humility is an admirable trait. Many of them are heroes you wouldn’t see on the big screen — like the ones wearing capes, wielding shields and electrified hammers — but making the effort to hear them out, you realize this ordinary person was once unordinary by doing the extraordinary. They’re people like you and I but with a powerful history to tell.

But unlike our cinematic icons, their legacies are shrouded in a complex past. Unless they were a World War II veteran or a recent soldier of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, they were likely mistreated or forgotten entirely. Ask most Korean and Vietnam veterans about their homecoming experience and you’ll find deeply rooted reasons why they keep their stories buried. Afraid to declare another war, the government labeled the Korean Conflict a “police action,” yet nearly 40,000 died. In Vietnam, the war was largely unsupported, and hatred was reflected onto the soldiers themselves, many who didn’t have a choice in the matter thanks to the draft.

Vietnam veterans share stories of being spat on and rejected for their service. Some threw away their uniforms or burned them, even omitted their service records from job applications. They were forced to bury their experiences for the sake of being accepted into society. The progression is like this: World War II veterans were celebrated; Korean War veterans were forgotten; Vietnam veterans, often hated.

It wasn’t until the rise of a newer, younger generation on the heels of war in the Middle East that veterans were again warmly received, and an emphasis was placed on recognizing those who have served their country. It was a long time coming. Unfortunately, for those before them, their service has faded into the pages of time but not too far from their individual memory.

Recognition is important — but for many, 50 years too late. They’ve long since moved on and learned to fight their demons in their own time, many winning that fight, and some not. But thanks to organizations like Honor Flight of Central Oregon, that overdue honor is placed back on them.

In late September, 30 veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam wars boarded an early morning flight out of Redmond to Washington, D.C. Its goal: to help veterans heal by seeing monuments and memorials built in their honor while saluting their sacrifice to this nation.

They were welcomed in Washington D.C. by a terminal full of people on their feet, applauding as the veterans deboarded the plane. Many of the veterans told me that alone was the first reception and show of appreciation they’ve ever received. It only set in motion what the days to follow had in store.

Honor Flight of Central Oregon veterans walk through hundreds of people applauding their arrival in Washington D.C. The entire concourse filled with applause, cheers, and passengers yelling, “Welcome home” and “Thank you.” The welcome was a surprise for the veterans and the reception left many in tears.

It was my mission on the journey to capture their stories in images, to catch those moments and somehow find those thousand words and meaning in it all. I’ve collected some images to relay that story to you, because heaven knows my words won’t do justice. But I found the writing at the foot of the Korean War Memorial perfectly states the sacrifice our veterans make:

Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.

Joseph Petrelli, Korean War, and Kenneth Anderson, World War II, look into the protective case housing the Constitution of the United States. Every veteran upon induction into the service raises their right hand and swears to defend and protect the Constitution. For many of the veterans it was the first time physically witnessing the document and ideals they swore to protect.

Kenneth Anderson, a World War II Pacific Theater veteran, and his guardian, David Cross, a retired Army veteran, take in the sights at the World War II memorial in D.C.

The Freedom Wall at the National World War II Memorial displays 4,048 individual gold stars, each representing 100 men who lost their lives in the war. Two World War II veterans on the trip spent much of their time staring at these stars.

Engraved images of Korean War veterans represent the thousands of men who served in a forgotten conflict 70 years ago.

Robert Altvatter, a Vietnam Army veteran, kneels at the Vietnam Wall. In front of him are the 19 names, in succession, of his platoon comrades who died during a battle on hill 501. He was a platoon sergeant at the time, and says the loss of so many lives at once has haunted his days ever since. He joined Recon shortly after and lost three more friends during that time. At his knees are the rubbings of his friends and memories from 50 years ago.

George Endicott, left, and Harold Schneider, right, both Vietnam veterans, fought back emotions at the Vietnam Wall. Endicott said, “It took me a long time before I could come down here.” Schneider didn’t lose friends during the war, but says the experience was spiritual after seeing so many names on the wall. “It was difficult but healing too, and I felt a sense of closure after witnessing it,” he says.

Honor Flight of Central Oregon veterans are welcomed home to Redmond with cheers and celebration from approximately 200 people. They were presented with handmade quilts and honored during the closing ceremony by Honor Flight staff. Many of the veterans shared with me that this is the first proper welcome home from their time at war and opened a new chapter on healing and closure.