Fifty World War II veterans capped off a whirlwind trip to Washington D.C. and back with a thunderous motorcycle escort into a rousing welcome-home ceremony at American Legion Post 347.
Everywhere the veterans and their 50 Villages Honor Flight Guardians went Sunday they were given a hero’s welcome.
“It’s been an incredible trip,” said former Villager Marvin “Bud” Murdock who lives in the Steeple Chase independent living center. “Just fantastic.”
On the flight home, the veterans and their Guardians were serenaded by Grammy-nominated jazz musician Najee, who just happened to be aboard the plane. He played the”Star Spangled Banner” on the flute over the flight attendant’s microphone. And with the
Southwest Airlines flight attendant leading, the entire plane sang, “God Bless America” before touching down in Orlando.
At both the Orlando and Baltimore airports, there was plenty of applause and cheering for the World War II veterans.
At a stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Villages Honor Flight veterans were greeted by members of the crowd with plenty of handshakes and offers of thanks for their service.
The day brought many family reunions, some planned and some surprises.
Robert Forsythe of the Village of Lynnhaven was traveling with his daughter Lisa as his Guardian. But he was speechless when members of his family surprised him at the World War II Memorial. They conspired and traveled from many parts of the country to pull one over on the World War II veteran.
Linda Price of the Village of Polo Ridge was a first-time Guardian. She had a veteran she knows well, her father, 94-year-old Robert Closs of Continental Country Club in Wildwood.
She, too, pulled off a family visit like an old pro. Her sister was able to sneak up and surprise their father, also near the World War II Memorial.
Eugene Megyesi was caught off guard at the Baltimore airport by his granddaughter, her husband and their 3-year-old daughter.
Megyesi, who recently moved from The Villages to Leesburg, was greeted in Baltimore by granddaughter Jennifer Ray and her husband Major Chris Ray who recently wrapped up a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
“Wow. I didn’t expect this,” Megyesi said.
Chester Buck of The Villages met his son James Buck at the Baltimore airport. The younger Buck is an airline captain for U.S. Airways. Like his father, he served in the Air Force. Graham Buck, who recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, was also there to meet his grandfather after he got off the plane.
The Buck family was also able to meet up again at the Air Force Memorial.
Air Force veteran Myron Guisewite was eager to find his name at the Air Force Memorial.
And with the help of his Villages Honor Flight Guardian Diana Bernard, he was successful.
Guisewite who was with the original Army Air Corps and then the Air Force, was one of the charter donors to the memorial.
Guisewite was finally able to see his name there, with the help of a computer on site.
The large party of veterans gathered at 2 a.m. Sunday at American Legion Post 347 to depart for the trip to Washington D.C.
Larry Busch of the Village of Duval escorted his father-in-law Brice Hodgkins on the trip. Hodgkins served in the South Pacific during World War II.
“I can’t even begin to put some of this into words,” Hodgkins said.
Look below to watch a 3-minute video from Sunday’s trip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6hP-scKknk
Taking 50 veterans and 50 Guardians on the trip was unprecedented for Villages Honor Flight. It was the largest trip ever for the organization.
