On August 5, 1967, Jim Davidson’s draft notice arrived in the mail. Six months later, he was an Army grunt in Vietnam. Now, some 56 years later, he remembers the details of every firefight he was in and still can’t get his arms around the fact he made it home while many of his brothers in arms didn’t.
HFC108 on Flag Day featured 119 veterans traveling to Washington, D.C., matching the most heroes Honor Flight Chicago has transported on a single flight. Eight Korean War, one Korean and Vietnam War, and 110 Vietnam War veterans comprised that total.
If you admire people with a strong work ethic, you’ll want to help celebrate Donald “Don” Strauss when he joins Honor Flight Chicago’s 108th flight on June 14.
Heading into the physical, Russ did not have much stress as he was currently carrying a 4F from his bad knee and now having a compression fracture vertebrae, there was no way he would be called to serve, or so he thought.
Kent's father was a professor in foreign languages and his mother a librarian. His older brother retired as a Colonel in the Air Force and one of his younger brothers also was an Officer in the US Air Force. Thus, military life was not foreign to Kent.
Nate Holmes grew up in a rough neighborhood on the West side of Chicago with six sisters and one brother. Nate had a step-brother who was serving in the Army in Vietnam and saw news coverage of the war and wondered if he too could fight for his country like his step-brother.
Fred Hoffmeyer was a young Marine when 70 years ago he was exposed to an atomic bomb test in the Nevada Testing Grounds. Despite that, he has lived a long and healthy life.
Roger Hoffman was born in Chicago in 1950, the son of a World War II Navy veteran. His father served on the destroyer USS Sterett and survived a kamikaze attack on his ship during the Battle of Okinawa. Twenty-seven years later, Roger would also serve his country on Okinawa.
Edward Cook’s pending draft and love of planes led him to enlist in the Air Force as his first choice in 1952. He had also hoped to learn a trade while serving his country and applied for Army machinist school.
Vietnam wasn’t really on his mind when Willie Floyd Smith decided to join the Army in 1966. Just a few months before, the 173rd Airborne Brigade had become the first US Army unit sent to South Vietnam. Willie was shipped to Vietnam in March of 1967.
Tom's interest in military life started young and led to more than three decades of service. His passion for adventure, airplanes, travel, an infectious sense of humor, and dedication to service led him down an interesting path in the military that deserves both our appreciation and gratitude.
As the 113 veterans aboard HFC107 deplaned at Dulles International Airport shortly before 9:30 a.m. ET on May 10, Doug Meffley commented to a veteran that we had landed a few minutes early. His smiling retort: “Well technically we’re about five weeks late.”
“The Korea conflict was still continuing and everyone was getting drafted, pretty much as a sure thing before you turn 20-years-old.” Jack visited the local Air Force recruiter and then discussed his intentions with his parents.
Many years have passed since Mark Bonen’s two tours in Vietnam, where he was responsible for the care of multimillion dollar fighter jets, to being called Grandpa Uber.
Growing up in Southern California, Jeffrey Wombold enjoyed the sea, but it didn’t truly consume him until he joined the Navy in 1971.
With the war in Vietnam going on, Ray was scared but, at the same time, he also wanted to honor his country. Within a few days, he was on his way to Camp Pendleton in CA for Basic Training.
The Vietnam War was escalating, and Paul knew it would just be a matter of time before he was drafted. He considered joining the Marines but had a lifelong interest in airplanes and flying, so instead he joined the Air Force.
Skip and his South Vietnamese interpreter partner interrogated North Vietnamese Army (NVA) prisoners. In accordance with Army intelligence procedures he wore no rank so that the prisoners would not know his status.
Richard served in Vietnam from July 1966 to July 1967. He’s thankful to God for protecting him while in Vietnam. He earned a number of awards, medals, honors and certifications during his enlistment. He is very much looking forward to his Honor Flight!
Each of the 113 veterans on HFC106 needed their Honor Flight Chicago experience, and we are so deeply proud of our entire organization from top to bottom for providing it.