On June 18, Honor Flight Chicago brought one World War II, four Korean War, and 105 Vietnam War Veterans to Washington, D.C., aboard our 122nd flight.
Our mission began two decades ago as a way to bring WWII Veterans to their newly constructed Memorial. Just as we expanded to include Korean and Vietnam War Veterans, so too has the depth and breadth of our overall programming continued to grow. From honoring our heroes here at home to bringing our message into schools, our mission to Honor. Thank. Inspire. is ever evolving.
Each flight at the WWII Memorial, we hold a ceremony meant to honor not only the Veterans on the trip, but those who travel with us in our hearts, as well. In that vein, also aboard HFC122 were Ellen Shea and Maureen Schiesser – the sisters of Marine Corps L/Cpl Timothy Fitzmaurice. Timmy was killed in action May 9, 1968, in Thua Thien Province, Vietnam. Ellen and Maureen occupied two of our Guardian seats on the plane to represent their brother as our inaugural Gold Star family to come with us to Washington, D.C. This is a program we are launching to more formally honor the sacrifices of our Veterans and their families.
Ellen and Maureen integrated into our programming at our various stops, which included the Marine Corps Memorial. At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, they left personal letters to Tim from themselves as well as a beautiful, framed art piece honoring Tim made by one of their grandchildren. With his picture in our flag box, the sisters also represented their brother by marching through our Welcome Home parade.
We hear so often from the Veterans on our flights that they are able to experience healing and closure while surrounded by the camaraderie of their peers and the gratitude of our volunteers. We heard this same message from Ellen and Maureen, who have been on their own healing journey since receiving the knock on their door more than 57 years ago. Our goal is to provide this experience for Gold Star family members on many of our flights each season moving forward.
We also want to highlight several special guests who entertained our HFC122 Veterans in the morning at Midway. Rising 9th grader Liam B. raised over $13,000 to support our mission through his school’s junior honor society program, and his only request in return was that he, his brother, and several of their friends could play brass band style as a morning send off. They were fantastic! From patriotic tunes to the crowd pleasing “Sweet Caroline,” they set the tone for a wonderful day. Thank you, Liam!
We are back in July with more Heroes to honor, and more stories to tell. See you then!
Edna Ho and Doug Meffley
Directors, Honor Flight Chicago
“What really has blown my mind is how so many that I don’t know have shown great expressions of love and friendliness over a 20-hour period on one day, at Midway to and from as well as when we came and went from Dulles. Hard to believe that we have loving people that know how to put together a memory for 10 lifetimes.”
— Vietnam Veteran Tom Braun
“Like so many others, I was “blown away” by the kindness and sincerity conveyed by all. I really felt very unworthy to be honored as I was … I was not a hero, and didn’t really want to go. By the end of the day, I felt very different. I’m humbled by it all … and grateful that I was blessed to go to honor those who would never be able to experience this remarkable day. Now, more than ever, I feel a pride I never felt before, to serve my country.”
— Vietnam Veteran Ronald Krabbe
“I realized early that I was one of the healthier Veterans on the flight and how much all these Veterans have suffered from giving their all to the country when they were called. I’ve carried a lot of weight in my heart of never feeling respected as a Vietnam Veteran but I would have to say I’m in a different place today.”
— Vietnam Veteran Dave Stevens
“You people at Honor Flight Chicago are off the chart amazing. I had a day yesterday that I would label as one of the top 10 days of my 77 years of life. What you people are doing is insanely beautiful.”
— Vietnam Veteran Mike Threet
“The welcome home when we got back was beyond words I don’t cry much but ya’s had me in tears and I don’t think I have ever felt so welcome and proud to be a American.”
— Vietnam Veteran Denny Walgren
“Thank you so much for all your hard work, I had no idea my family was coming. I was in total shock. Your group did a fantastic job in Chicago and DC. This had to be one of the best days of my life.”
— Vietnam Veteran Mickey Yelachich
