Indy Honor Flight Operation Homecomimg

The Indy Honor Flight organization only has one mission but certainly not a simply one. Their mission is to bring our aging WWII Veterans to Washington DC, at NO COST to them, for a tour of honor and see their WWII Memorial. So many of our Veterans feel at their age they’ll never get to see the memorial only dream of visiting. The Indy Honor Flight is making this dream a reality for Veterans from all across America.
After the Honor Flight to Washington DC, they return to Indy and then back to The National Guard at Stout Field to pick up their transportation home. Operation Homecoming at Stout Field is a surprise event honoring each of the 70 or 80 Veterans returning home. I’m not sure I can truly express the emotions I felt encircling these War Heroes. Participating in the Honor Flight Homecoming for me was a truly phenomenal and highly emotional experience. I, as well as the entire building, was bursting with patriotic pride paying tribute and showing our gratitude to these worthy WWII veterans for their service and our freedom. The gratitude and pride rushed from each veteran’s smile, along with tears, as they took their parade lap but you could also see it brought closure and dignity. As said by several former Veteran participants of this event, the Memorial trip and experience is often re-​writing the last chapter of their lives.
We all realize the age of this generation but I’m not sure we’re truly recognized the staggering numbers of how few WWII veterans are still alive and all are now in their 80’s & late 90’s!!! Watching a 96 year old Veteran entering the room from his flight bought it home for me. Soon this generation will be only a wonderful memory. If you’re not familiar with Honor flight please visit the website to learn more. Time is running out! The goal is to take several trips over each of the years to come until every deserving Veteran has had the chance to visit their Memorial.
If you know of a WWII veteran submit his/​her name to be a honored or a guest of Honor for a day in D.C. at the WWII War Memorial. All are welcome at the Welcome Back Honor Flights; it’s free, so join us this fall for the next Homecoming. The surprised expressions and heartfelt thank you from the Veterans, their families and all branches of the military attending will stay with you forever! Support our troops!