Highlights from our 122nd flight
marc.zarefsky2025-06-29T06:20:26-05:00On June 18, Honor Flight Chicago brought one World War II, four Korean War, and 105 Vietnam War Veterans — as well as our as our inaugural Gold Star family — to Washington, D.C.
Alfred Weedon: A Life of Resilience
marc.zarefsky2025-09-20T21:30:21-05:00“I don’t consider I did anything spectacular,” Alfred Weedon insists. But after talking with him, it’s clear that his definition of “just doing what was told of me” involved extraordinary courage and resilience during the Vietnam War.
Andrew Michnowski: Learning what war is
marc.zarefsky2025-06-15T07:30:33-05:00Andrew “Andy” Michnowski was born in Brexham, England, on January 11, 1949. His parents and their family, Polish citizens, had been deported to Siberian labor camps by the Soviet Union as a result of the German and Soviet conquest of Poland in 1939.
Harry Eng: The Army turned his life around
marc.zarefsky2025-06-15T07:27:25-05:00Harry Eng graduated from Chicago’s Senn High School with honors and was ready to repeat his academic success as a pre-med student at the University of Illinois. During his sophomore year, however, he switched his major, lost his way, and was invited to take a semester off.
James Miller: ‘We had no idea what to expect’
marc.zarefsky2025-06-15T07:22:03-05:00Jim Miller's journey is a testament to resilience and the unexpected turns life can take. From the apprehension of being drafted to facing intense combat and a life-altering injury, Jim's story highlights the profound impact of the Vietnam War.
Kenneth Christy: Still seeing shrapnel
marc.zarefsky2025-06-15T07:18:33-05:00Kenneth ‘Ken’ Christy lived his life as an adrenaline addict, from breaking horses at the age of 15, being awarded a Silver Star in Vietnam after being in country for 19 days and working as a fire fighter in Indiana. “I’ve always had to have an adrenaline rush.”
David Stevens: Sticking to his decision
marc.zarefsky2025-06-15T07:13:14-05:00David Stevens was born in Elgin, Illinois in 1950. When he was a boy he saw the film “The Fighting Sullivans,” about five brothers who died when their cruiser was sunk during World War II, and he knew what he wanted to do with his life—join the Navy.
James Cleary: Marine turned detective
marc.zarefsky2025-06-20T06:34:52-05:00What do the US Marines, the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff’s Department have in common? Jim Cleary. At 96, the former Chicago PD detective has left footprints in some of Chicago’s most memorable moments.
Alan Hoeksema: Witness to Friendly Fire
marc.zarefsky2025-06-14T21:59:33-05:00Shortly after graduating high school, and having no immediate intentions of going to college, Alan was classified by the selective service as 1-A and upon reaching the age of twenty, Alan received his official “induction letter” to report for military service.