The first Villages Honor Flight of 2016 returned late Wednesday night from Washington D.C. to American Legion Post 347. The 35 veterans, their guardians, as well as other support people including a medical team arrived at 11:10 p.m. to a cheering crowd.
They had departed from the American Legion Post on Rolling Acres Road at 2 a.m. that morning. The veterans seemed elated by the welcome home they received after their 21-hour day.
The crowd began to assemble a couple of hours before the flight returned. They were entertained by the Village Twirlers, Clown Alley 179, the Villages Cheerleaders as well as music from the Flashback band.
Sondra Howard and her friend Marshall Cohen had arrived before 9:30 p.m. to enjoy the fellowship and entertainment while waiting for their friends’ return.
An honor guard consisting of midshipmen from the University of Florida joined an honor guard of American Legion members to honor the returning veterans.
Seventy-five volunteers made this honor flight possible. They consisted of the 35 escorts, one for each of the veterans, as well as a medical and other support staff. A group of Legion members, wearing red hats, handled parking and crowd control.
Learn more about Villages Honor Flight at http://www.villageshonorflight.org/
