Throughout Elaine’s interview she talked about how much she loves airplanes and anything patriotic. As a Girl Scout, she remembers with pride marching in the 4th of July parades. Her love of airplanes plus patriotism equal the Air Force.
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base was a hub of activity during the Vietnam War. Located in northeastern Thailand, it was one of the major centers of U.S. Air Force combat operations.
We did it! Four flights, 10 weeks, 437 senior war heroes honored. The 2021 season was short, it was quick, and it was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS!!
Corporal Tom Wysocki knew from a young age he wanted to serve his country, inspired in part by John Wayne.
Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas was Roy’s initial introduction to the military.
Joe was born and raised on Chicago’s southwest side and attended St. Rita High School, where he went on a basketball scholarship.
During high school, Howard was a member of Junior ROTC. Thus, he learned basic military skills including marching and handling a rifle.
Bob attended the University of Illinois for two semesters in 1961 but came home when it became clear he wasn’t ready for college.
Life didn’t go the way 16-year-old Margaret Thomas would have liked it to go. Being the middle one of five sisters was always a challenge.
Before college, Bob Sussman had lived all over the country, but never in one place longer than a year and a half.
David Grauer feels bad that he never saw combat in World War II. He is also very glad he never had to kill anybody.
John “Rizz” Lapo’s toughness, acquired on the streets of Chicago, served him well in the jungles of Vietnam.
Joseph ‘Jake’ Mata wanted to be a Marine. He quit high school at the age of 17 to enlist in the Marine Corps.
William Meloy is 74 years young and grew up in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1968.
Ninety three Women Warriors traveled to Washington D.C. as part of Operation HerStory, the first all-women Honor Flight.
2nd Lieutenant Bette Horstman served as a physical therapist in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in the Pacific during World War II.
Growing up in Iowa, Kris Artz read books about flying. After high school, she knew she wanted to move on from working at a local grocery.
When Jane Moyers graduated from Madonna High School, she was already determined to pursue a career in nursing.
While growing up in Chicago, Carol saw her brother head off to Vietnam. She too wanted to enlist and do her part to serve her country.
Ervine Clay’s mother never dreamed the baby girl born on Christmas Eve in 1929 would someday become a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps.