San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
RANCHO SANTA FE STUDENT GOES ON HONOR FLIGHT WITH WWII VET
Jake Hauenstein and his sister, Ivy, raised $2,500 for the trip
Jake Hauenstein, a 13year-old seventh-grader at R. Roger Rowe School in Rancho Santa Fe accompanied Jim Ziegler, a 99-yearold World War II veteran from Julian on the recent San Diego Honor Flight.
The trip, entirely organized by volunteers and supported by donations, takes veterans to see the memorials dedicated to their service in Washington, D.C. Jake and his sister, Ivy, a thirdgrader at Rowe, raised $2,500 for Ziegler to go on the flight.
“It was absolutely amazing,” Jake said of his experience as the youngest on the trip.
The three-day trip from April 29 to May 1 included 83 WWII and Korean War veterans and two Vietnam War veterans with terminal illnesses. The oldest veteran at 101 was a U.S. Army B-24 pilot in WWII who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his wartime actions.
The flight included veterans who landed on the beaches of Normandy and fought in the Battle of Inchon, a pilot who flew 31 combat missions over North Korea, a sailor who served on the USS Midway, and two Navy veterans who are best friends from the Korean War.
The veterans visited Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, the WWII, Lincoln, Korea, Vietnam, USMC and Air Force memorials, and the National Navy Museum.
Jake turned 13 April 30, the day the veterans saw their memorials. That day, Jake wore the bomber jacket worn in WWII by his grandfather, Clifford Hauenstein, who died in 2021 at age 100.
It was Jake’s first time wearing the special jacket that his grandfather had worn flying B-17s in the Battle of Guadalcanal.
“The veterans were really impressed and it really meant a lot to my husband’s family,” said Jake’s mother, Marsi Hauenstein, who served as a guardian on the trip. Clifford Hauenstein had never had an opportunity to go on an honor flight but a piece of him was there — many of the veterans reminded Jake to take care of that priceless jacket.
This year, Rancho Santa Fe and Rowe School were again big supporters of San Diego Honor Flight as five local students raised a total of $15,000 toward the flight.
Rowe fifth-graders Samantha Choconas and Sloan Harris each raised $5,000, sponsor ing four veterans. The girls met two of the men that they sent to Washington, D.C.
Rancho Santa Fe’s Grace Miller, now a seventh-grader at Pacific Ridge, raised $2,500 to send her fifth veteran on an honor flight.
Dorri Hawkes, Rowe’s front desk and attendance clerk, served as a guardian on the flight, and many Rowe teachers and students showed up at the airport to participate in the heroes homecoming celebration for the veterans at the airport.
All were inspired by Stacey Halboth, a teacher at Rowe and former librarian. Considered a key volunteer, this trip was Halboth’s third Honor Flight since 2018. At Rowe, she has shared with students about what Honor Flight is about and introduced them to veterans to hear their stories.
Beyond the trip, She has formed friendships with the local veterans she has accompanied.
“This is going to be Jake’s passion all because of a good teacher,” said Marsi Hauenstein. “She changed his life in a lot of ways.”
Jake plays in the band at Rowe, interns at a horse ranch, drives race carts and rides bulls.
This was the first time the Hauensteins raised money for Honor Flight, but they have been supporters for several years.
Over Thanksgiving break last year, Jake and Ivy sat in front of the Rancho Santa Fe Post Office and collecting donations. At times, they were joined by George Sousa, a Korean War veteran from Rancho Santa Fe who was sent on a flight by Rowe students.
Touched by the patriotic pair or inspired by the cause, all the little donations from community members added up to $2,500, enough to send one veteran on the trip.
It was a little surprising to be invited to go on an honor flight, Jake says. At first, Jake’s veteran, Ziegler, was a little hesitant,but Jake was able to make aconnection with him, and everyone witnessed a transformation over the weekend.
“Jake was so compassionate and caring with his veteran,” Halboth said. “He took it so seriously. I was so proud of him.”
San Diego Honor Flight is now accepting applications from Navy Seawolves for the fall flight at Honorflightsandiego.org.