|
Post
177 Legionnaires Assist with Honor Flight at World War II
Memorial
|
|
|
World
War II Veterans lined up for the flag ceremony during
the September "Honor Flight" (photo by Dean Strong).
|
Each
month since June, members
of Post 177 have been assisting visiting World War II veterans at
the World War II Memorial. The program called "Honor
Flight" started in Ohio and is now expanding into other
States. Private pilots use their own planes, paying for
the fuel and fees themselves to get the veterans down to
Washington, DC. The veterans are flown into Manassas and
then bussed to the Memorial.
Post
177 Legionnaires along with representatives from other 17th
District Legion Posts, have been volunteering their time to help
the World War II veterans tour the World War II Memorial in
Washington, DC.
|
|
| 17th
District Legionnaires start early to make it into
Washington in time to secure parking, assemble
provisions, and retrieve scooters. |
Once
a month, volunteers arrive at the Post 177 Post Home at 7:00
a.m. on a Saturday morning to prepare coolers filled with ice
and water, wheelchairs, walkers, and other items needed by the
veterans. Brown bag lunches are prepared the night before.
|
|
| 17th
District Legionnaires waiting for the World War II
Veterans to arrive at the Memorial. |
|
|
| Photo-op
for the group of volunteers in front of the World War II
Memorial Information Booth.
|
|
Click
here for more information about "Honor
Flight".
To volunteer for
the October 2nd "Honor Flight, call the club at
(703) 273-2250 and give your name to Donna.
|
|
|
A
convoy of legionnaires drive into Washington early enough to
secure parking on Constitution Avenue and then assemble for the
day.
A
group of volunteers breaks off to retrieve handicapped scooters
that are rented for the veterans. The volunteers
walk
four or five blocks down to the Old Post Office Building
and then ride the scooters back to the Memorial in
preparation for the veterans. At the same time,
other volunteers are transporting the water coolers and
other items to a staging area by the Memorial.
Then starts the long wait
for the veterans to arrive.
|
|
| Post 177
Legionnaires Paul Sandy and Dennis Wilson watching the
festivities at the World War II Memorial. |
The
World War II Vets arrive late in the morning and are
usually tired from the long trip. Legionnaires
have cold water waiting for them and then provide the
veterans with wheelchairs or scooters as needed.
|
|
| World War
II Vets riding scooters into the Memorial. |
Ceremonies
begin with the Posting of Colors beneath the State
pillar at the Memorial. Then the veterans are free
to tour the Memorial at their leisure.
Legionnaires assist and escort the veterans throughout
the afternoon.
Legionnaires
spend a long day assisting the veterans, but when
its all over, there is a real sense of pride
knowing you've helped a World War II Veteran to
have that chance to see their long-awaited
Memorial. To see the expressions of joy and
tears on the veterans makes the whole day well
worthwhile.
|
|
| 17th
District Legionnaires packing up the van at the end of
the day. |
The
last Honor Flight of the season will be on October 2nd.
Volunteers are encouraged to join us.
|
|
|
| Post
177 Legionnaires, Jerry Whipple and Dennis Wilson
after a long day of volunteerism.
Back to Top |
|
|
