Honor Flight a fitting tribute to those who served

Those who served our country during World War II and other wars deserve our profound appreciation. It is because of our war veterans that we remain strong as a nation, and we enjoy many of the freedoms we all-too-often take for granted,

The World War II Memorial in Washington, DC is a sacred place of remembrance, solace and reflection for those who served in uniform during this war. While no memorial can ever adequately say “thanks” to those who fought -- and many who paid the ultimate price -- for our freedom, a group of volunteers several years ago came up with a novel way to honor World War II veterans.

The Honor Flight program was born in 2004 when a retired Air Force Captain sought a way to express his gratitude for the service of World War II veterans. As a pilot, he offered to fly veterans one at a time to “their memorial,” so that those without the means to travel could experience the tribute. He was overwhelmed by their response. Many were emotional.

Soon after, the retired Captain reached out to other pilots to volunteer for an inaugural “Honor Flight.” Eleven volunteered, and in May 2005 six planes carrying 12 World War II veterans flew out of Springfield, Ohio to Washington, DC.

Since that time, the program has expanded across the country. The program has 71 “hubs” in 30 states, including South Carolina. Civic clubs and scout troops hold fundraisers to finance the flights.

The Honor Flights aren’t just limited to veterans of World War II, either. Those who served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars are now included. By the end of this year, nearly 50,000 veterans will have been flown to their memorial free of charge under the program.

The flights are day trips. The veterans are accompanied by “guardians” who assist in flight preparation and help ensure that each veteran has a safe, meaningful experience. The guardians are volunteers and pay their own way.

On May 27, I’ll be honored to serve as a guardian on an Honor Flight leaving Columbia early that morning. And while the trip to the memorial is sure to be an emotional one for those who fought, I certainly can imagine it will be a moving experience for me as well to travel with true American heroes to visit the memorial erected in their honor. More than that, I’ll be thinking of my father, a hero in my eyes who fought in deadly naval battles during “the war” in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. I wish he were alive today to make this trip.

While the Honor Flight program is a fitting tribute to those who served, it certainly pales in comparison to the tremendous sacrifices our veterans have made for us. God has blessed America by their service.