HONOR FLIGHT OF GREATER DUBUQUE
It has been called the 'Greatest Generation.' That generation is rapidly dwindling. In World War II there were over 16 million Americans that served in the U.S. military. America is losing almost 1,000 members per day of that Greatest Generation. In 2004 the World War II Memorial was completed and dedicated on the Washington Mall in Washington, D.C. A physician assistant and retired U.S. Air Force Captain was working in a small veterans clinic in Springfield, Ohio. He would ask the veterans receiving treatment if they would ever travel to Washington, D.C. to see 'their' memorial. Many of these senior heroes lacked the physical and mental wherewithal to complete a trip on their own. Earl Morse, the retired Air Force Captain, decided that there had to be a way to get these heroes to D.C. to see their memorial. CAPT Morse was a pilot member of a local aero club. In January 2005 he approached the aero club and posed the dilemma to the membership. Eleven other pilots came forward and volunteered to fly 2 veterans in their private planes to D.C. at no cost and escort these veterans to their memorial and other Washington, D.C. memorials. And the Honor Flight was born.
Today you can find an Honor Flight hub in over 100 cities throughout this great land. The entire Honor Flight Network is made up of volunteers and coordinated on a local level by an area director. The concept remains the same ---- there is no cost to the veteran and a guardian will accompany that veteran for the day. These veterans are in their eighties and nineties and some of them have special needs. These needs are provided by the volunteer guardians from the community which include doctors, nurses, firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians and area community caregivers.
A typical chartered flight departs from the Dubuque, Iowa, airport at 7 AM but not before having a free evening meal the night before. The veteran and their spouse, or significant other, meet and eat with their assigned guardian. In this way the spouse is reassured that their veteran will be properly cared for the next day.
Following a morning sendoff from Dubuque, the veterans are greeted by an enthusiastic welcoming volunteer committee on the ground at Dulles Airport in D.C. There they board chartered buses and begin their tour. The tour includes a visit to the World War II Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the Viet Nam Wall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial, always ending the day at Arlington National Cemetery and viewing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
If time permits the veterans may also visit the Air Force Memorial and drive by the White House and other D.C. buildings before returning to Dulles International for their departure.
Upon their arrival in Dubuque the veterans receive a rousing welcome from family, friends, area firefighters, the local contingent of the Patriot Guard and the tri-state community. This makes for one full day for just about anyone let alone someone from the Greatest Generation.