Several veterans are among the 140 who will go on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight’s 33rd mission on Saturday, May 14, , after their flight receives a water cannon salute on the runway before takeoff.
The flight will take World War II and Korean War veterans on a one-day free trip to Washington, D.C., to see their memorials.
In Washington, the veterans will board deluxe motor coaches, with a police escort, and will visit the World War II Memorial; Iwo Jima/ Memorial; Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; theLincoln, Korean and Vietnam memorials and the Air Force Memorial.
“There is nothing better than supporting our veterans,” Rock said. “We get a bunch of Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans, World War II Veterans, and let them go up to Washington to see their memorials that maybe they wouldn’t get a chance to see otherwise is just an amazing feat that we are able to provide,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Bruce Rock.
Army veteran Daniel Foglio served as a Quartermaster during the Vietnam War. He has spent the last 16 years in Statesboro and is a Senior Vice Commander at the local American Legion. Foglio described his excitement to finally see the memorials and spend time with his fellow veterans.
“I just met a couple of people that I have not seen in a long time,” Foglio said. “I want to see these things that I have read about and have seen on TV. It is a heck of a feeling to go back and see all the guys that were around when you were. It makes me feel good that I am with my comrades again.”
As he began thinking about the trip, Foglio became visibly emotional. He expressed his desire to visit Arlington National Cemetery and witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
World War II veteran Richard Waltz served in the Navy and is looking forward to his first trip to the memorials.
“I am really looking forward to this trip, it should make a nice experience,” Waltz said. “I am really impressed. All of the fine gentlemen and your uniforms. If this is indicative of what we are going to see then I think it is off to a grand start.”
Veterans will be greeted with a homecoming celebration.
