It's a single day, yet a powerful one, as men
and women who served our country stand before a memorial that commemorates
their service and sacrifice. Six times a year, a Middle Georgia nonprofit makes
this day happen, sponsoring a trip to Washington, D.C., for hundreds of
veterans since 2018.
"These trips to Washington, D.C., are often
emotional and have a huge impact on the veterans we serve," says Roger
Jennings, Co-founder and President of Middle Georgia Honor Flight. "Time and
again, we hear that it was the best day of their lives."
Founded in 2018, Middle Georgia Honor Flight is a local hub of the Honor Flight Network, which focuses on U.S. veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam era wars and terminally ill veterans. The one-day trips are an opportunity to show gratitude to the veterans for their service, provide an opportunity for veterans to share their stories and experiences with others, and remember their comrades who have fallen.
Over the past six years, Middle Georgia Honor Flight has served more than 300 veterans, operating six flights a year at no cost to the veterans. Flying out of Macon, GA, each chartered flight takes 13 veterans and a dedicated guardian for each service member along with support staff.
The day starts at 5:30 a.m. with precise timing of visits to each memorial coordinated with the national Honor Flight Network, which has veterans flying in from around the country. The day ends at 9:30 p.m. with a welcome home in Macon from a crowd of people there to show their appreciation for the veterans' service.
One Vietnam veteran on a recent trip stirred
the emotions of the entire area surrounding the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In
his hometown, the veteran gives back to his fellow veterans by playing taps on
his bugle at funerals. During his time in Vietnam, four of his friends in his
platoon were killed in action. Having never visited the memorial, he asked
Middle Georgia Honor Flight if he could bring his bugle on the trip and play
taps for them at the Wall.
"Once we were at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, we all stood at attention, and he played taps," says Roger. "Every
person in the entire area stopped. You could hear a pin drop. The veteran said
it was the best day of his life because he could finally do something for his
friends in remembrance of their life and service to our country."
For
veterans living in Middle Georgia interested in applying for an Honor Flight,
go to www.middlegahonorflight.org/veteran-form.
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