Honor Flight Veterans return to a warm welcome in Virginia Beach

Photo By Max Lonzanida | WWII through Vietnam Era veterans are welcomed back at the conclusion of a bus trip organized by Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia. Uniformed Service Members from area commands, and members of the public were on-hand with signs, applauses, and smiles to welcome the bus convoy back after a day trip to Washington, DC. This group, part of Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia’s Mission 20, took veterans to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Korean War/Vietnam War Memorial. (US Navy Photo by Max Lonzanida/Released).  

VIRGINIA BEACH , VA, UNITED STATES

10.20.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

Tim Obrien, who authored the pivotal novel about the Vietnam War “The Things They Carried” once wrote:

“Sometimes, remembering will lead to a story, which makes it forever. Stories are for joining the past to the future. Stories are for those late night hours in the night when you can’t remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity, when memories are erased, when there is nothing to remember but the story.”

This was the case on a late Saturday evening at the Reon Road Park and Ride lot; where service members shared stories amongst themselves of the duty day, recent travels, and more importantly how they heard about the buses about to pull in. The buses that were scheduled to pull in the parking lot were full of veteran service members from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and were part of Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia’s 20th Mission. The group is a Williamsburg-based non-profit established in 2008, and is geared towards taking Richmond and Hampton Roads area WWII veterans to Washington, DC to visit several memorials that honor their service. This specific mission hosted 115 veteran service members, and was coordinated in part by April Maletz, a Retired US Navy Senior Chief and the group’s Assistant Director. A slew of other volunteers assisted with the planning of the event, including Matt Hartman, the groups Director; Connie Drago, the group's Veteran Liaison, and many Bus Captains and guardians who came together to make this trip possible.

Amid the brisk fall weather and under the glow of parking lot lights, service members both past and present and members of the public waited anxiously with homemade welcome home signs ready to greet the buses and more importantly, convey their gratitude to the veterans. At around 10:45, the buses arrived and service members from area commands in uniform formed. The command to "stand by" was echoed; followed shortly after the command to "present arms" as those in uniform smartly saluted the buses as they pulled in the parking lot. There were echoes of cheers, applauses and a plethora of smiling faces as many wheelchair bound veterans got off the bus and were escorted to their vehicles by their guardians. For many in the group, this was the culmination of a long and heartwarming day.

This honor flight mission consisted of pick up points in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and Mechanicsville, Virginia. The mission started before sunrise and ended after sunset. Once everyone was aboard, the convoy travelled to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. There, they were met with an honor guard, and greeted by midshipmen from the US Naval Academy, US Marine Corps, and a host of well-wishers. After touring the museum, the group travelled Arlington National Cemetery with a police escort provided by the National Park Service. There, the group had the opportunity to tour the Air Force Memorial, see the changing of the guard, and tour the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Thereafter, the group loaded the buses and headed to the National World War II Memorial, and finally the Korean War and Vietnam Memorials. In between visits, the group enjoyed meals and snacks aboard the buses, and also made a stop at the Knights of Columbus Edward Douglas White Council in Arlington, Virginia for dinner.

At every stop, the group was met with a warm welcome, and a host of signs thanking them for their service. At the final drop off point at the Reon Road VDOT Park and Ride; many veterans remarked about how wonderful and welcomed they felt, and recounted stories of their service throughout the day. And most importantly, many of the service members and well-wishers at the last drop off point had the opportunity to thank the veterans and show their gratitude for their service.

• Date Taken: 10.20.2018
• Date Posted: 10.22.2018 11:41
• Story ID: 297237
• Location: VIRGINIA BEACH , VA, US