MCAS Beaufort supports Honor Flight Savannah

Photo By Sgt. Ashley Phillips | Petty Officer Third Class retired Michael Keenan greets Cpl. retired Jim Caines at the opening breakfast for Honor Flight Savannah aboard U.S. Army Garrison Hunter Army Airfield Fort Stewart, Savannah, GA, Oct. 14. Keenan served as a journalist in the Navy from 1966-1976 and Caines served as an infantryman in the Marine Corps from 1966-1968. Honor Flight Savannah brings together veterans from World War II, Vietnam and Korea for a trip to visit their war memorials at the National Mall in Washington D.C.  

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

10.20.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort participated in Honor Flight Savannah, at U.S. Army Garrison, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., Oct. 14.
The Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Company 23, Marine Aircraft Group 31, joined service members from other branches to salute the past wars veterans as they boarded the buses to travel to Washington D.C
“I’ve never had the opportunity to do this before,” said Petty Officer Second Class Silva Raul, leading petty officer with CLC-23. “It’s a humbling experience for us as we give them honors and I think it’s a healing moment for them. This is something I’ve always wanted to experience.”
Honor Flight Savannah is a volunteer and donation based organization that takes World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans to visit their war memorials in Washington D.C. When the flight began in 2005 veterans traveled to D.C. by plane, but now due to the Honor Flight’s growth, logistically it is easier for them to travel by bus.
The group of 50 veterans from all of the country traveled by bus to Washington D.C. For the next two days they visited the war memorials at the national mall. They also visited museums and got a private tour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The first ever Honor Flight Savannah departed Savannah with only six veterans in 2008, three of which were from Beaufort. Now the flight has grown, accommodating nearly 400 veterans each year, with the waiting list growing.
“Today we have 50 veterans making the trip to Washington D.C.,” said Owen Hand, a board member of Honor Flight Savannah. “These veterans fly from all over the country to participate in this. The great part is that when they arrive here they don’t pay for anything; not even for a cup of coffee.”
To keep these trips free for the veterans Honor Flight Savannah depends solely on the donations of private donors, businesses and corporate sponsors. Throughout the year they have various benefit dinners and fundraisers .
“We take pride in offering this service free of cost to the veterans who gave so much,” said Hand. “Each day over a thousand WWII vets are dying; Because of this we prioritize the waiting list based on age or if a veteran has a terminal illness, regardless of what war or conflict they fought in.”
For the Marines from MCAS Beaufort this was an opportunity to see and interact with a different generation of service members; to honor the sacrifice of their predecessors. The generation of WWII, Korean and Vietnam War era veterans is rapidly passing and the amount of time left to thank them is waning.
“This is the first time I’ve ever gotten to go on one of these hon-or flights,” said Cpl. retired Jim Caines, an infantry Marine who served from 1966-1968. “It’s good to be able to go and see the memorials, but it’s even better to be able to be here with other veterans and be able to swap stories; one last hoo-rah.”

• Date Taken: 10.20.2016
• Date Posted: 10.20.2016 14:54
• Story ID: 212485
• Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US