Flightless Honor Flight

Friday afternoon Ethan's scout leader texted asking if he could round up some boys to go to the Ivins Veterans Home to hold flags.  That was all the information we were given and Ethan tried to get boys who would come on a Saturday morning in their full scout uniform to hold flags for some unknown reason.  He was able to get one boy to go with him and I am so glad Ethan was able to participate.

If you haven't heard of Honor Flights then you aren't alone.  I knew a little about them but hadn't ever heard of a Flightless Honor Flight.  Here is info on the Honor Flights: Utah Honor Flight

Basically it's an organization that flies veterans to Washington D.C. to be honored and see the sights.  Right now they are focusing on WWII vets and Korean vets.  You fill out an application, have a medical examination and then they fill the seats that are available.  The WWII vets are given first shot because they are getting old.  This is an amazing opportunity for these men and women to be honored before they are gone.  They are treated really well and are honored at home and in D.C.

This year the group did something new.  They decided to do a "Flightless Honor Flight" for those vets who couldn't fly because of health reasons.  Ethan was one of the scouts with the honor of holding the flags as the vets came down the hallway to get on the "plane" which would take them on the flightless flight.  Here is the newspaper article about it: Newspaper Article

The vets were pushed in their wheelchairs down the hallway and a pilot (in full uniform) would greet them at the door, ask which branch of the military they served in, salute them and then invite them inside where they sat with their escort.  It was so moving.  I cried at the honor that was given to these people.  Some were timid, some couldn't remember what branch they had served in and had to be prompted by their family member, and some remembered everything.  It was amazing the respect and love shown to them by all those involved.

Once they were all aboard the plane, they were greeted and then shown videos of the memorials in D.C.  When everything was over, they were taken into the next room for their "homecoming."

I was so grateful that Ethan was able to participate and that there is a program out there like this to honor the veterans.