Memorial Day 2016 and Honor Flights / myLot

Pixabay Public domain, Korea War Memorial in snow

Eugene, Oregon

May 27, 2016 12:14pm CST

I was talking with my ping pong playing friend Tom this week and he mentioned that he was on a list for an Honor Flight. This program has flown over 159,000 US World War II vets and terminally ill vets from other wars to Washington, DC, to visit the various memorials there, including the WW II memorial, Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial and many others. Tom mentioned that he was on a list to be included in one of these all expenses paid flights. He has a friend that went and found it very worthwhile. Tom is 80 now and is a post Korean War veteran. Honor flight has has just begun accepting applications from Korean War and Vietnam War vets. I looked into it and it includes eligibility for vets who did not even serve in combat but were Korean and Vietnam Era veterans. The program is supported by contributions and it is a worthy one. I have never been to DC, and am tempted to apply, but in any case, will certainly contribute. We would be pushing our retirement budget to fly, pay hotels and transportation costs around the area, but with over 20,000 on a waiting list, I might not be chosen anyway. Have you visited Washington, DC and the various memorials?

12 people like this

10 responses

Patsie Hatley is Deceased

@Hatley (163772)

• Garden Grove, California

27 May 16

No Ihave never been to 'washington DC b ut I know I would love it buty Im not a veteran so cannot afford it but it is surel;y worthwhile for all veterans for sure.

3 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382036)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 May 16

What a lovely idea! I hope your friend gets to go and in due course perhaps you'd be chosen too. Someone has to be chosen. Why not you if you are eligible.

2 people like this

James Higgins

@JamesHxstatic (29410)

• Eugene, Oregon

28 May 16

Just as long as I do not take the place of a combat vet, I would be pleased.

2 people like this

Jabo

@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

27 May 16

That sounds like a lovely way of honouring the veterans, whatever era they are from. And non-combatants like you also served their country.

2 people like this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111937)

• United States

27 May 16

we this is the day to honor them.Most people do not.I get very angry about this.Being a veteran t hat everyone should honor them. You are here because of them.I have visit a few.But not there

2 people like this

Scott Ganschow

@teamfreak16 (43586)

• Denver, Colorado

27 May 16

I have never been there, but any cause that helps out vets is ok in my book.

2 people like this

Ruby Hawk

@RubyHawk (99367)

• Atlanta, Georgia

28 May 16

I never have, but I would love to, I hope you can join the group going to Washington D.C.

2 people like this

Deborah-Diane

@DeborahDiane (40846)

• Laguna Woods, California

28 May 16

Yes, we have visited Washington, DC and taken all four of our daughters there. Four of our seven grandchildren have been there, too. One of our granddaughters went on a school trip and spent an entire week there. I know the hotels in the area can be expensive, but it is an experience that I think you would enjoy, James. The Smithsonian Aeronautical Museum, the Vietnam Memorial and many of the other sites are well worth visiting. If you want to see the White House, you need to contact a Congressman from your state first, I believe ... at least that was true for a while after 9/11. There was no problem at all to tour it when our kids were growing up.

James Higgins

@JamesHxstatic (29410)

• Eugene, Oregon

28 May 16

Thanks, @DeborahDiane. We are talking about a trip next spring if I don't sign up for the Honor Flight.