Countless hours of effort by many Villages Honor Flight volunteers’ culminated Saturday in a patriotic Flightless Honor Flight for fourteen area veterans of World War II, plus the Korean and Vietnam wars, who were unable to endure the strain of an actual trip to Washington D.C. The virtual honor flight brought out well wishers from The Villages and surrounding communities, who came to meet and greet the veterans at various stages of their trip, and thank them for their service.
The dedicated volunteer “travel” group does everything it can to treat the disabled veterans to an experience as close as possible to a real trip.
Long-time event organizer, Mark Erdrich, thanked Post Commander, Jerry Briggs, and the Lady Lake American Legion for continuing to welcome everyone involved with Honor Flight.
“World War II and other veterans are walking books,” Erdrich said to the crowd. “If you have the chance, sit down and talk with them. They have such interesting stories to tell. You will be glad you did, and will understand all they have sacrificed to keep America safe.”
After leaving by bus from American Legion Post #347, the vets traveled to a simulated Baltimore/Washington airport check-in at Colony Cottage Recreation Center, where they were met by TSA agents. They viewed realistic videos simulating travel around Washington, D.C. and enjoyed lunch with their guardians and Honor Flight directors.
The virtual experience included viewing the Capitol police parting Beltway traffic for their motorcade to pass; and visits to the major military monuments and other key sights in our nation’s capital. Everywhere the group went in the simulation, they are met by flag-waving, cheering crowds.
Freedom Pointe resident, Sylvia Wagner, who served in the past as an Honor Flight guardian to Washington D.C., squired 98-year-old World War II Army Air Corps veteran, Elizabeth Stange, who served as an aircraft mechanic. Stange enjoyed the day and was smiling from ear-to-ear. Benny Wojciechowski, 94, who served during World War II chatted up a storm with his guardian, Army Cold War veteran, Len Hathaway. Benny drove an Army truck and helped build the Burma Road.
World War II Navy Seebee from Brooklyn, Cliff DiBlasio, traded quips with his guardian, Mallory Square Villager, Nick DiVirgilio, who served during the Korean War. Army Air Corps veteran, George Whetstone, visited at the post with his sister, Joanette Cooper, nephew, Ron Masino, good friend Clarisse Peltier, guardian Bob McPhee of Amelia Village, and Bob’s wife, Gail.
There were plenty of opportunities for camaraderie among the veterans and their guardians — to reminisce about combat experiences and deepen bonds of friendship.
After the video tour, a return flight was simulated with a faux Orlando airport TSA setup, and the vets’ bus returned them to a live welcome at the Lady Lake American Legion.
Popular entertainer Petrina, the Village Cheerleaders, the Villages Twirlers and Drum Corps, among other volunteers, performed for the assembled crowd who waved American flags to welcome the veterans. Representatives of the local uniformed services and The Village Nomads motorcycle club also came out in a large outpouring of gratitude for these brave service members.
