The connections made between a guardian and their veteran during an Honor Flight last longer than just the day they are together. This is especially true for DC-based volunteer Kimberly Hill as she has stayed in touch with and even met up with her veterans long after the day they spent together in Washington DC. In 2018 Kimberly ran the Chicago marathon and was able to meet up with several veterans post-race, enjoying a bite to eat and taking photos together. Even if she can’t go and meet up with someone after their flight, Kimberly still tries to keep in touch with all those she has met with the Honor Flight Chicago program.
From living in DC, Kimberly had known of and seen Honor Flights come in, but never got involved until her dad saw they were looking for volunteers in 2012. It became a family volunteer event, with both Kimberly and her mom and dad serving as guardians for the flight and her sister and her children serving as greeters at the airport. The whole family jumped at the opportunity to get involved due to their military background with her father being a veteran himself and her uncle having been a Vietnam pilot. Since that first flight, Kimberly has done about 15-20 flights and tries to do as many as she can every year either with her parents, by herself, or by getting her friends involved. She has also stepped in to be a guardian for an Honor Flight from Northern California and from that experience believes that Honor Flight Chicago is by far the most organized and well run. They account for everything and anything that could potentially happen whether that be rain or a government shutdown.
When asked what her favorite part of the day was during an Honor Flight, Kimberly responded with the time she gets to listen to each veteran’s story and personally thank them for their service and sacrifice. Some of her favorite stories she has heard include that of a WWII Purple Heart recipient and of a veteran who was not old enough to enlist in the army so his mother had to sign to allow him to join. Even though she regularly sees all the memorials as a DC area resident, Kimberly is still taken back by how they all look lit up at night. She has a special connection to the Vietnam memorial and always stops by to see her uncle’s name engraved on the wall. Kimberly’s personal favorite location to go to is Arlington National Cemetery and seeing the tomb of the unknown soldier and the changing of the guards.
Coming from a military family, Kimberly knows the importance of thanking those who have served, but she believes that it is something that everyone should be doing. As all these veterans get older and unfortunately pass away, it grows even more important to show them appreciation and listen to their stories before it is too late. That is why Kimberly believes that Honor Flight Chicago is so special. The experience is touching for both veterans and guardians. Every time Kimberly participates in a flight, she takes away something special and different. For those considering being a guardian, Kimberly would urge you to try it because “it’s such an amazing experience that can barely be put into words.” Even if you only do it once, you will have positively impacted a veteran and have wonderful memories of the day spent together.
Kimberly, on behalf of the Honor Flight Chicago program, thank you for volunteering your time and making the flights special for all your veterans!
When asked what her favorite part of the day was during an Honor Flight, Kimberly responded with the time she gets to listen to each veteran’s story and personally thank them for their service and sacrifice.
