By DAVID PIENTA
Special to The Sun
I grew up as an Air Force brat. My dad served twenty-six years in the Air Force as a Communications Operator. My dad served in Vietnam and Desert Storm. So naturally, veterans have a special place in my heart.
Honor Flight is a program to fly veterans to Washington DC to see their monuments and memorials. Veterans either select a Guardian to bring with them or one is assigned from those that apply. Guardians help the veteran with anything they need from guiding them to where they need to be to pushing a wheelchair. At its inception in 2005, this program mainly focused on World War II veterans.
I had applied twice before this year. In 2023, I saw a documentary done by WCOT on Johnny Linton, a Marine. I was beyond moved. I contacted Johnny and we instantly became friends. I decided to apply for a third time, hoping this time I would be selected. I was excited to find out I was selected to go as a Guardian this year!
I attended veteran/guardian orientation on April 20th. Staff began to go over statistics for the veterans who would be on our flight.
This flight had four Korean War veterans and the rest were Vietnam veterans. However, the crowd erupted with applause and a standing ovation when they announced a 104-year-old World War II veteran Joseph Williams from Wakulla County was in attendance and would be on our flight.
April 27th was flight day. All participants had to be at the airport by 5 a.m. After a 3:45 a.m.wake-up call, it was off to the Flightline Hanger. We arrived and were given our credentials and assigned our veterans. I was a rare Guardian, assigned to two veterans. Each participant was assigned to one of three teams: red, white, or blue. I put on my Guardian shirt and proceeded to my team’s table to find my two veterans. I immediately found Jim McShane and Dennis Murphy. Both men served in Vietnam. Both men immediately began telling stories of serving.
Mission BBQ and a host of Honor Flight volunteers served the participants breakfast. I took a break from the stories after breakfast when I spotted Mr. Williams entering the hanger. I really wanted my picture with him. I greeted Mr. Williams and told him I too live in Wakulla County and it was a true honor to meet him and thanked him for his service. He smiled and reached out his warm hand that made my day.
We began boarding the flight at 6 a.m. We arrived at Baltimore International Airport to a water canon salute from the airport fire department. Upon entering the airport, we were greeted by students of the U.S. Naval Academy, passenger and other civilians.
To Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson’s surprise, his daughter (a USNA Midshipman) was there to greet the veterans and surprise her dad. It was touching and emotional to see tears of joy from the Vietnam veterans who never got a welcome like that.
We then loaded onto three large buses for the hour-long ride to the World War I Memorial. Upon arrival, we were greeted by an active-duty U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard. All participants gathered for a group picture and a wreath ceremony. The color guard presented the colors for the National Anthem, followed by the reading of a speech given at the end of World War II. After the group activity, we were given 45 minutes to explore the memorial and the surrounding area.
We grabbed a sack lunch while boarding the bus to proceed to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. We stayed for 1 hour and 15 minutes. It started to rain on us as I accompanied my two veterans to the Vietnam Wall. I watched as multiple veterans did etchings of names. I found the names of the 7th Cav soldiers from the Battle if Ia Drang (the movie/book “We Were Soldiers Once… And Young”). We got to see the new addition of a wall of etched pictures to the Korean War Memorial.
The next stop was Marine Corps Memorial. The memorial is a statute of the second raising of the U.S. Flag on Iwo Jima in World War II. The rain continued to fall, but that did not stop the veterans from exploring. After 30 minutes, it was back on the bus to head into Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard.
Only the top 10% of soldiers who apply to be a Tomb Sentinel make it through the rigorous training. During this time of year, the sentinel is changed every 30 minutes. For many, this was the first time they witnessed the ceremony. The precision and attention to every detail is something to behold.
After the ceremony, we had 45 minutes to explore. Many veterans proceeded to the nearby grave of Audie Murphy. Audie is the most decorated American soldier of World War II and one the most decorated soldiers in American history. We explored the Columbia Shuttle monument, the Challenger Shuttle monument and Iran Rescue Attempt monument.
We boarded our buses to head to the last stop, the U.S. Air Force Memorial. Comprised in-part by three metal spires the go up to 405 feet above sea level, it is designed to mimic the Bomb Burst maneuver by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Participants also got to take pictures with an 8-foot-tall honor guard statue. The grounds of the Air Force Memorial give a wonderful view of the Washington, D.C. skyline. The memorial is also in the flight path of 9/11 flight 77. We could see where the Pentagon was struck and rebuilt, along with the Pentagon Memorial.
After 20 minutes on-site, we boarded the buses for one last time for our ride to Baltimore International Airport. Staff off loaded the 60 wheelchairs, three coolers, and medical equipment. We proceeded into a private security line for TSA. We grabbed a bagged dinner as we boarded the plane.
Half-way home, the interior lights came on and we heard “mail call, mail call, mail call” over the intercom. Just like they did in days of war, staff passed out envelopes for each veteran, filled with letters and cards from family members, the Mayor of Tallahassee, City Commissioners, Congressmen, school children… Many were moved to tears.
We arrived in Tallahassee at 10:28 p.m. (slightly late) to another water canon salute by the Tallahassee Fire Department airport station. We pulled in front of the hangar to a sea of red, white and blue, camera flashes, banners, signs… Many veterans were shocked to see this was for them. Many were moved to tears. A local band played period music and patriotic songs. The Patriot Guard Riders handed out flags to those in attendance to form a flag line, lining the walkway into the hangar.
I saw veterans on this flight who were friends of mine that I have not seen in years. It was wonderful to see them again and catch up. I saw fellow guardians that I have not seen in some time. But more importantly, I made two new friends, my veterans. I plan on calling them often.
It is a long day and an emotional day. But it is worth every single second. The smile on the faces of these veterans filled me joy that cannot be described. I was so moved, I have already applied to go again next year.
