Honoring service
Today we salute all veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Thank you!
Some of the Greatest Generation who stormed Utah and Omaha beaches at Normandy, who shivered in icy foxholes during the Battle of the Bulge and who recuperated from injuries across the ocean from families and friends are still here with us.
Texans should thank all veterans for the sacrifices they made to keep our nation free — not only on Veterans Day — but year-round. But this need is particularly acute in the case of the nearly 60,000 World War II veterans who live in Texas, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These men and women are mostly in their 90s.
Tallies vary, but about 500 WWII veterans are dying each day. In a few years, it’s estimated that there will be no living veterans of World War II left to recount their experiences.
Honor Flight Houston — a chapter of a national organization — provides one avenue for a grateful community to support our veterans. Since beginning its operation in 2005, Honor Flight Houston has taken eight flights and treated 200 veterans to a two-day trip in Washington, D.C., to see the National World War II Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) and the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, along with sites like the National Air and Space Museum. “We try to see as much as we can without being too overwhelming,” said Ashley French, the chairman of Honor Flight Houston (“Big Idea: Honoring World War II Vets” July 10).
Each veteran travels on a plane with an escort, and Honor Flight Houston also brings along several coordinators, a photographer and medical personnel. Although about half of the veterans are in wheelchairs, according to French, “some could do back handsprings.” Everyone associated with the nonprofit is a volunteer.
In addition, Honor Flight Houston offers other less time-consuming volunteer opportunities. “We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they walk by,” Will Rogers famously said, and Honor Flight volunteers form lines at the airports to celebrate a takeoff and landing with posters and American flags. Some vets maintain that the airport cheering squads are their favorite part of the trip, according to French.
As veterans from one era pass, Honor Flight Houston plans to continue by arranging for survivors of the Korean and Vietnam Wars to visit Washington. And with each veteran Honor Flight transports, they take with them the well wishes of a grateful Houston and nation.
Tallies vary, but about 500 WWII veterans are dying each day. In a few years, it’s estimated that there will be no living veterans of World War II left to recount their experiences.