Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Lancers assist with Austin’s Honor Flight

    Lancers assist with Austin’s Honor Flight

    Photo By Sgt. Bailey Kramer | As the Honor Flight participants prepare for takeoff as the Austin Fire Department...... read more read more

    AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES

    10.09.2012

    Story by Spc. Bailey Kramer 

    1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

    AUSTIN, Texas – “We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.” These words, once spoken by Will Rogers, are the motto of the Honor Flight Network.
    Fifty World War II veterans from Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell Texas counties flew to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport here, Oct. 9.

    Fourteen soldiers assigned to A Company, 2nd “Lancer” Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, spent time with the veterans before they left the airport.

    The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization created to honor America’s veterans for their many sacrifices, by transporting them to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials.

    “It goes without saying we would not be here without [veterans],” said Allen Bergeron, chairman of the Austin, Texas chapter of the Honor Flight Network. “I can’t thank [veterans] enough.”

    The Honor Flights began in the 2004 to 2005 timeframe when Air Force Col. Earl Morse, retired, started flying a few World War II veterans at a time.

    “The Honor Flights soon became a national movement,” Bergeron said, describing the quick growth of the program.

    Starting out with only three or four World War II veterans, the Honor Flights have now taken more than 85,000 veterans to Washington D.C. to see their memorial, stated Bergeron.

    “It is great to be going to visit the memorial,” said 94-year-old World War II Army nurse and veteran, Isabelle Cook.

    Cook worked as an Army nurse for three years during World War II, serving in North Africa, Italy and France.

    “I think it’s wonderful that the younger soldiers are here, just to see them here and how helpful they’ve been,” Cook said of the Lancer soldiers assistance. “I’m very appreciative of it. I don’t think they quite understand how much it means for them to be here.”

    The assistance of the younger generation of soldiers meant a lot to the veterans, but they aren’t the only ones who were grateful to be there.

    “It is an honoring experience to help and talk to these veterans,” said Austin, Texas native, 2nd Lt. Rob Wilson, an infantry officer assigned to the Lancer Battalion. “They have done so much, and sadly you don’t know how long these men and women will be around. It’s always a great experience to talk to veterans and get younger soldiers involved.”

    Bergeron expressed his gratitude to the men and women for their sacrifices, “again, I can’t thank you enough, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.09.2012
    Date Posted: 10.16.2012 14:42
    Story ID: 96250
    Location: AUSTIN, TX, US

    Web Views: 58
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN