To the editor:

The recent Honor Flight of the Ozarks, was a wonderful experience. There were veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam on our flight. Although, I have been to Washington, D.C., and have seen some of the memorials we visited on this trip, I have never experienced it with veterans who had fought for our freedom. It was a distinctive feeling of a job well done.

My brother, Jim, U.S. Marine, and myself, U.S. Air Force, traveled on the flight. The Flight brought back memories of our years during the Vietnam War. Jim spent two tours in Vietnam in jungle combat at the beginning of the war. I spent three years in Japan on the flight lines of Yokota Air Base receiving air evacuations of the wounded from Vietnam and those brave military members who gave their lives for freedom.

It was also exciting that we could travel with my daughter, Lisa, who was Jim’s guardian. She got a new respect for military camaraderie that goes with military service. And thank you to Dale, my guardian.

We visited six war memorials and Arlington National Cemetery where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located. We watched the changing of the guard, noted the precise number of steps and heel clicks, all in honor of the veterans.

Upon our return, we were handed an envelope with many letters from citizens, school children, friends and family thanking us for our service. We are very humbled and thank each of you for taking the time to write a letter. It kind of makes up for the disrespect of the past to know people do love our military families.

I cannot express gratitude or thank the Honor Flight Network employees and volunteers enough for choosing us to go on this trip. When we arrived back at the airport in the evening, it was awesome to see the color guard, the Marine Corps retirees, motorcycle groups, hear the band, and be welcomed by so many volunteers and people. It was overwhelming, but felt like maybe we had done something right after all!

Thank you for a memory we will never forget.