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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

Richard Hanson: Learning lessons in a war zone

2024-06-11T22:35:39-05:00

Lessons learned in a war zone can last you a lifetime, assuming you make it home alive.  Sergeant Dick Hanson learned quickly that taking pictures from the turret of a tank on the front lines of Korea can get you killed. 

Richard Hanson: Learning lessons in a war zone2024-06-11T22:35:39-05:00

Jerome Koutny: Heading into the tunnels

2024-06-11T22:29:35-05:00

Jerome Koutny was sent to Vietnam as an infantryman and then volunteered for one of the more dangerous jobs as a tunnel rat, looking for the enemy by going into their tunnels.

Jerome Koutny: Heading into the tunnels2024-06-11T22:29:35-05:00

Highlights from our 114th flight

2024-05-23T22:23:13-05:00

Our 114th flight and the second of the 2024 season saw 115 veterans travel together to Washington, D.C., on May 15. Among them were one WWII Veteran, one Korean War veteran, and 113 Vietnam Veterans.

Highlights from our 114th flight2024-05-23T22:23:13-05:00
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