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So far marc.zarefsky has created 334 blog entries.

Denise Kennedy: A Nurse in the Army

2024-08-24T21:09:39-05:00

It was a childhood plagued with asthma and multiple hospital stays that first put the thought of nursing into Denise O’Leary Kennedy’s head. She saw so many nurses during those early years she couldn’t help but admire them.

Denise Kennedy: A Nurse in the Army2024-08-24T21:09:39-05:00

Ron Wills: Propelled to Serve

2024-08-24T21:04:57-05:00

Ronald “Ron” Wills was born and raised in Saybrook, a small town in Central Illinois where Ron’s father farmed while his mother raised Ron, his brother and three sisters, and helped run the machinery with the best of them. 

Ron Wills: Propelled to Serve2024-08-24T21:04:57-05:00

Donald Clarke: Fighting for America

2024-08-24T20:55:58-05:00

Donald Clarke was born near Boston in 1948 and grew up next to the Revere Beach amusement park and boardwalk. His family has a strong history of fighting for the United States.

Donald Clarke: Fighting for America2024-08-24T20:55:58-05:00

Highlights from our 116th flight

2024-07-30T22:22:03-05:00

Two years after celebrating our 100th flight, and one year after bringing our 10,000th veteran to Washington, D.C., our July 24, 2024 mission saw yet another historic milestone: The 11,000th hero to travel to our nation’s capital with Honor Flight Chicago.

Highlights from our 116th flight2024-07-30T22:22:03-05:00

Don Ramsbottom: ‘Send him to Vietnam’

2024-07-29T21:36:33-05:00

Growing up as the youngest in his family, Donald “Don” Ramsbottom learned how to leverage speed and agility to excel. These traits proved invaluable during his service in the Vietnam War.

Don Ramsbottom: ‘Send him to Vietnam’2024-07-29T21:36:33-05:00

Lloyd Busse: A Humble Hero

2024-07-21T22:02:06-05:00

A U.S. Army helicopter dangled precariously over the battlefield. Wounded soldiers needed help. Right Now. Speed was critical. But every time the pilot tried to touch down fierce enemy gunfire erupted.

Lloyd Busse: A Humble Hero2024-07-21T22:02:06-05:00

John Wander: Taking Care in South Korea

2024-07-21T21:42:36-05:00

John Wander was born in 1941 and raised in Downers Grove. His parents were both the children of immigrants, and they both faced significant challenges when they were growing up.

John Wander: Taking Care in South Korea2024-07-21T21:42:36-05:00

William ‘Bill’ Koc: Learning to Fly

2024-07-21T21:32:59-05:00

William “Bill” Koc was born in the city of Stickney, IL in October 1946. Bill was one of twelve children (being #3 himself). He remembers always being surrounded by family.

William ‘Bill’ Koc: Learning to Fly2024-07-21T21:32:59-05:00

Donald McCollough: The Art of Firefighting

2024-07-21T21:14:10-05:00

Donald W. McCollough, born near the small town of Jewett, Illinois, was the middle child of a family of eight.  His parents, Harold and Ethel, worked on a farm that grew sugar cane. 

Donald McCollough: The Art of Firefighting2024-07-21T21:14:10-05:00

Highlights from our 115th flight

2024-06-27T21:37:03-05:00

On June 19, 112 senior veterans boarded Southwest Flight 8037 bound for Washington’s Dulles International Airport and their long-awaited Day of Honor, Thanks and Inspiration with Honor Flight Chicago. Four Korean War veterans and 108 Vietnam War veterans comprised that total.

Highlights from our 115th flight2024-06-27T21:37:03-05:00

Jerome and Richard Corcoran: A Band of Brothers

2024-06-25T22:26:45-05:00

The Corcoran brothers grew up on the far south side of Chicago in a family of 11 children. Jerome (Jerry) was number 9 and Richard (Rich) was number 10 of 11 children. There were seven boys and four girls in the family.

Jerome and Richard Corcoran: A Band of Brothers2024-06-25T22:26:45-05:00

Daniel ‘Sarge’ Syniar: ‘A Million-Dollar Wound’

2024-06-25T22:23:59-05:00

Sarge was on patrol in Vietnam walking point with his M-60 down a narrow trail. A tracer round whizzed, cracked, past him to his right. He immediately rotated his body to the left when a second round hit him in the chest exiting through his back just missing his lung.

Daniel ‘Sarge’ Syniar: ‘A Million-Dollar Wound’2024-06-25T22:23:59-05:00
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