| Author | Message | ||
     Iamike |
I just got back from LaCrosse, WI were my father-in-law was selected to go on a Freedom Honor Flight to DC as a WWII veteran. I had first heard of these last October when the LaCrosse group sent their first flight. I told my wife that she needed to get him signed up. Lo and behold, he was selected, then she got a call that she could go too as a helper. I asked about me but not being an immediate relative I didn't get picked. This all came about after the construction of the WWII memorial and they wanted to show as many of the vets that they could since so many were dying (1,000/ day). I didn't go up there for the send off but she said that it was so cool to have the line up of Boy Scouts, current military, vets and the Honor Guard riders. She said that she was in tears at the sight of all the old guys getting their due. At Dulles there was also a reception group of military and volunteeres to greet them. Senator Bob Dole greeted them as they went by. I hadn't told her that I intended to make the 160mi. ride up there to see their return. LaCrosse had organized this around their Freedom Fest where they had an air show and rock concerts with Lone Star as the lead group. When they landed at 10:30pm I was standing by the fence and right away I see her look out of the 737's window and wave. She said that she wasn't really surprised at all to see me out there (she's know me for quite awhile). It was so cool as the 4,000 people from the concert, an honor band and the military escort brought the vets off the plane. It still brings tears to my eyes to think about what those guys endured and to be able to live to see the memorial built for them and their buddies that didn't make it back. I was talking to the lady that organized it and her mother. The dad, a vet, was so excited that the memorial was being built but died before it was completed. The daughter fet so bad about dad missing out that she has poured her heart into the organization for him. I will post some pictures when my wife gets home with the camera. | ||
| Buellboiler |
Mike, Is this a local organization or national? Either way it is terrific that they are doing this for the WWII vets. The memorial really is one of the most beautiful sights in DC. The Iwo Jima Marine Memorial and the Korean Memorial are also sights that cannot be missed. I am glad that your wife could be part of this event. | ||
| Iamike |
Here is the link for the LaCrosse group: http://www.freedomhonorflight.org/ Iowa has also done a couple and I think I read where 35 states have organized them so far. | ||
| Iamike |
Here are some pictures of the day: The gathering, my father-in-law is on the left, an Air Force mechanic in Aisia  The send off  At DC   The reception back at home  | ||
| Skinstains |
WWII cat's are hard effin' core. Imagine fighting a war knowing that if you lose you will be learning a new language along with all of your friends and family back home. | ||
| M2statz |
Thanks Mike!! That must have been quite an honor for your father-in-law. It gave me goose bumps just reading about!! Michael | ||
| Greenlantern |
Few things bring a tear to my eyes, but Vets do it every time. | ||
| Iamike |
I guess this trip had 100 vets and 50 helpers on it. It was pretty cool that when the 737 came in the first time it buzzed the concert. I'm not sure how close to the ground it was but it was something to see that big bird float by in the dark just overhead. I'm kind of surprised they were allowed to do that. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Very very cool Mike. Thanks for sharing. Brad | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
WWII cat's are hard effin' core. Amen! | ||
| Aldaytona |
This is an example of why it's so important for all you Military Vets to join your local VFW, American Legion, Amvets, ect.  |
