On a beautifully mild mid-July day, HFC123 arrived in Washington, D.C., carrying three Korean War and 112 Vietnam War veterans on their long-awaited day of honor, thanks, and inspiration.
HFC123 served as our annual summer Operation Education flight with two graduating high school seniors and two educators aboard as Guardians. They traveled as thank yous for their past efforts, but also to better inform the way they facilitate bringing our mission into their schools and communities.
This flight offered the opportunity to provide an extra experience for one of the heroes aboard. For only the third time in our history, we spun a veteran off our main trip for a side visit to Arlington National Cemetery due to a personal connection with that hallowed ground – in this case the most hallowed of ground.
Edward Fitzpatrick served as a Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the late 1950s. He was on duty and participated in the interment ceremonies of the WWII and Korean War Unknown Soldiers in May of 1958. Thanks to work of our DC Leadership, Arlington National Cemetery, and the 3d Infantry (Old Guard), we brought Ed to the Tomb to witness the same 21-step walk he himself made more than 65 years before. The current Sentinels welcomed him into their quarters with open arms, exchanging stories about their time Guarding the Tomb.
The Welcome Home for the heroes of HFC123 was enormous, with nearly 100 Scouts and Girls Scouts in attendance along with the addition of the Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers to our traditional CFD Pipe and Drum procession. We also had a group from NuMark Credit Union, a longtime supporter of our mission whose Chairman of the Board, Cliff Struthers, flew as an honored veteran.
We also give a special shoutout to our forever-partner Southwest Airlines, which once again generously scheduled their “Freedom One” livery to bring our heroes home.
We are now past of the halfway point of our 2025 season with only three flights to go. On the horizon is the 12,000th veteran we will fly to our nation’s capital. We can’t wait to finish the year strong. See you then!
Edna Ho and Doug Meffley
Directors, Honor Flight Chicago
“I have been trying to compose the right words to express my feelings, and you know I’m not usually short on words. But, the Honor Flight Chicago crew simply knocked it out of this world. A heartfelt thank you goes out to every single person.”
– Vietnam Veteran Harold Fross
“I have always thought of myself as the reluctant soldier because I was drafted and did not volunteer to serve in a war many didn’t believe in. That I lived while so many died and are now listed on that wall makes me one of the luckiest guys around. Thank You to all those involved for making me remember that again.”
– Vietnam Veteran John Rosewell
“What you and all your associates do is truly an act of love. While the experience of visiting the memorials was emotional and heartfelt, the people that welcomed us was beyond belief. The people who took time to greet us at both airports was one of the most beautiful acts of kindness that I have ever experienced.”
– Vietnam Veteran Patrick Molloy
“The entire trip from start to finish was amazing. I was amazed at all the volunteers and how positive and helpful they were. Mail Call was great! I received 40 letters which were difficult to read without crying. It definitely brought back memories of the days when Mail Call was such a special time of day.”
— Vietnam Veteran Jim McKevitt
