It was long overdue, but nearly 60 years after the war that defined the 20th century, a national memorial to our World War II veterans was finally built and dedicated in our nation's capital.
The memorial site was dedicated in 1995, and the construction of the memorial meant to honor the sacrifice of those who served in that war began in September of 2001.
The Memorial was then opened to the public in May 2004.
It honors all who served during World War II, including the 400,000 who lost their lives serving and all those who contributed to the war effort at home.
However, because of the length of time waiting, many of the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the United States during World War II will not have the chance to see this great memorial.
It is a fact that most World War II Veterans are literally aging out of the opportunity to visit this first national memorial in their honor.
That is where Honor Flight comes in. This is an all-volunteer organization committed to getting as many World War II veterans to their Memorial in Washington, D.C., as possible. The mission of the Honor Flight Network includes getting the most senior American veterans, survivors of World War II, to their memorial _ free.
Through donations, all trips for the veterans are paid for. In addition, volunteer guardians accompany all veterans. Guardians pay for their own trip and are responsible for the veterans they are assigned to for that trip.
Veterans are also provided with all necessities, including a bus trip to the airport for the flight, the flight, wheelchairs or walkers if needed, meals and more.
Honor Flight is spread nationally with hubs in nearly all states.
In New York, there are five regional hubs.
Locally, an Honor Flight hub called Leatherstocking Honor Flights was started during the summer of 2008.
The Leatherstocking Honor Flight group serves the counties of Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie, Montgomery and Fulton. Veterans from as far as Binghamton have been on the Leatherstocking Honor Flight to the Washington, D.C., Memorial.
Since those first meetings just over a year ago, five honor flights have taken place with the bus going from Schoharie and the plane from Albany airport.
One hundred and thirty veterans and 50 guardians have been on the flights.
The average age of the veterans on those flights has been 84 to 85 with the oldest just going on a flight that went Oct. 31 _ he was 99 years old.
The Honor Flight goal is not to just get the veterans to the memorial, but to show the respect and thankfulness for their contribution to all Americans by making the trip memorable and auspicious as is fitting.
This is a day like no other and there are very few dry eyes when sensing the meaning surrounding the ability of these veterans to step back and reflect as well as to see the reverence with which the knowledge of their sacrifices has impacted others.
Most of the Leatherstocking Honor Flights start off with ceremonies at the bus. There may be speeches from local politicians and there is always a group of well-wishers and some media the initial take-off. There is a procession of the bus of veterans and guardians. Two motorcycle groups accompany the bus.
This procession is enhanced once it reaches the towns of Guilderland and Colonie, where state police block the intersections to allow for straight through the traffic lights with no stopping for the procession. At the airport, the veterans receive special treatment.
The airport will announce their presence, which often results in standing applause and salutes. The Albany airport also provides a line for security just for them to make the trip easier and physically less stressful. There is also a ceremony before boarding the plane with prayer from local clergy.
Once on board, the pilot will announce the veterans' presence on the plane and special seating is provided so that all can sit together.
Once at the Washington airport, they are met by other Honor Flight groups to ensure that they get through the airport and onto the waiting bus for the memorial.
On occasion, at the memorial, Sen. Bob Doyle, a World War II veteran, comes to shake hands and meet the visiting veterans. On a recent trip for the Leatherstocking group, the 109th National Guard from Schenectady, dressed in full flight suits, met and assisted the veterans on and off the bus at the memorial. They stood in double lines, one on each side of the embarking and disembarking vets with salutes.
The Leatherstocking Honor Flight committee has scheduled meetings at the Schoharie County Office For the Aging.
If you would like information or an application for a veteran or an application for guardian for a veteran, please call the OFA at (518) 295-2001.
If you would like to make a contribution, send a donation to Leatherstocking Honor Flights, P.O. Box 621, Cobleskill, NY 12043.
Theresa Munford is deputy director of the Schoharie County Office for the Aging.
