Honor Flight
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 09:09 a.m., May 3, 2008
Updated 09:09 a.m., May 3, 2008
By Brandy Nance
nance@emporiagazette.com
READING
When Lynn Jacob went with dozens of other World War II veterans from Kansas to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., they were treated like royalty — like heroes.
Jacob, who lives in Reading, was one of the participants in a recent Honor Flight that flies World War II veterans to see their memorial in Washington. The United States loses about 1,200 World War II veterans each day and many of those veterans will never get to see the memorial dedicated to them in Washington. Earl Morse, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, recognized this fact and started the Honor Flight program. The first flight was in May 2005. The veterans were flown free of charge to see the memorial.
Today, Honor Flights are taking place all over the United States, including in Kansas. Jacob went with the flight coordinated by the Southern Coffey County school district. The Lyndon School District also has done honor flights. Brian Spencer, superintendent of the Lyndon School District said Lyndon High School conducted an honor flight in November 2007.
“It was such a rousing success that we scheduled two more, which are April 30 and May 3,” he said.
Spencer said they take 57 veterans per trip.
“That’s how many a bus will hold,” he said.
Spencer said he came up with the idea of starting an Honor Flight back in October.
“ I came up with the idea after reading some articles about the WW II memorial and the people it was meant to honor, and how most of them would never have the opportunity to see it,” he said. “I thought that was a bad deal and we as a society can do better than that. I had an idea that if we get kids to find the veterans (we could) make this trip a reality for these fellows.”
Students were lined up to be guardians for the Honor Flight.
“That’s is my favorite piece of the whole puzzle and it works really, really well,” Spencer said. “It’s amazing the connections that get formed. There are still ones back in November that still get together ... it’s had phenomenal benefits.”
The success of Lyndon’s honor flight inspired Southern Coffey County to do one of its own. Southern Coffey County School District Superintendent and Honor Flight Coordinator Mike Kastle said 37 World War II veterans took part in the flight on April 16. It was a one-day trip that began at 2:45 a.m. when veterans and students met at Southern Coffey County High School in LeRoy.
A Patriot Guard patrol escorted the bus to Burlington, where more veterans were picked up. Jacob said he and the other veterans received red-carpet treatment. The wee hours of the morning were cold and windy, but the Patriot Guard stood in the parking lot with their flags waving in the breeze welcoming the veterans.
“It was great,” Jacob said. “They treated us like royalty.”
The veterans were transported to the Kansas City Municipal Airport, where the airline crew announced each Honor Flight member and their branch of service.
“They wouldn’t let anybody on the airplane until we got on,” Jacob said with a smile.
Jacob recalled the warm reception they received at the Baltimore airport. As they got off the plane, they were greeted by a large crowd of passengers and crew members who clapped and sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”
“They just treated you like you were something special,” Jacob said.
Once in Washington, D.C., the veterans visited the Iwo Jima Memorial and the World War II memorial where they were greeted by former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole and Kansas First District U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran. Veterans also received a bus tour of the nation’s capitol.
Throughout the entire day, high school students helped veterans out with everything they needed. And that means anything. If a veteran needed his shoes tied, the students were on hand, Kastle said. Every need was taken care of.
“The vets felt they had never been treated so well for an entire day,” Kastle said. “People recognized them for who they are ... our 15 students who went along were fantastic.”
Kastle said they will be doing another Honor Flight.
“If there are any veterans that haven’t had the opportunity to go, contact us or Lyndon or honorflight.org,” Kastle added. “We would love to take them from our area.”
For more information on the honor flight contact Brian Spencer in Lyndon at (785) 828-4413 or Mike Kastle at (620) 964-2217.
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
This is one of the most worthwhile, kind, patriotic programs I have ever heard about. For young people to do this for our aging heroes will enrich the lives of all involved. This just validates my belief that the vast majority of our young people are bright, kind, and productive. All involved should be as proud of themselves as I am of them... and the teacher who created this event.
May 5, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )