Help get every WWII veteran on an Honor Flight

By Michael E. Potter

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In April of 2004, the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., was finally completed and it quickly became the hot topic of discussion among patients at the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Springfield, Ohio.

Retired Air Force Capt. Earl Morse, a physician's assistant at the clinic, asked each of his WWII patients if they intended to visit their memorial. Most felt that somehow, eventually they would make it there. As summer turned to fall then winter, it became painfully clear that would not be the case.

The memorial was built far too late for the veterans it honored. For most of these veterans, already in their 80s, the financial and physical limitations in making such a trip were insurmountable. For Earl, this was not acceptable and an idea began to take shape. As a private pilot and member of the nation's largest aero club, Earl asked one of his WWII veteran patients if it would be all right if he personally flew him to Washington at no cost, to see the Memorial. The veteran accepted, then cried. A week later, Earl posed the same question to another veteran, drawing the same response.

Seeing how important this was for these veterans, Earl then shared his ideas for getting veterans to Washington at his club meeting. There were two major stipulations; the veterans would pay nothing and the pilots would escort the veterans around Washington, D.C., for the day themselves. Eleven pilots immediately stepped forward and Honor Flight was born.

In May of 2005, six small planes flew 12 very happy veterans to Washington, D.C. It was a life-changing experience for the veterans as well as the pilots. Unfortunately, six years later, too few people know that Honor Flight even exists.

Of the 5,000 WWII veterans living in Eastern Iowa, fewer than 10 percent have inquired about making a flight. Many are already in their 90s, so time is running short. They are our fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers.

Many mistakenly assume this is just a trip to see a memorial when in fact it is the journey of a lifetime. To make this flight is to witness the power of the human spirit and to share in the outpouring of kindness and gratitude America gives these veterans wherever they go. Honor Flight is truly an emotional experience that most will say was the best day of their life. It can mean many things, healing and closure among them.

But it is also about being honored, spending time with brothers in arms for one final mission and being young again, for just one more day.

We believe that every WWII veteran needs to make this journey. In the event a veteran's health is rapidly failing or they live too far away from a participating airport, Honor Flight will make special arrangements on their behalf. These men and women are so important to us that we will even fly a single veteran and guardian on a commercial flight if necessary, free of charge. There is even a program in place to honor veterans too ill to travel.

The greatest generation was one of strength and humility. They never expected a welcome home or thank you and none was given. It's not too late to do so now. They deserve nothing less.

We need to reach the remaining 5,000 while there is still time so they too can experience the miracle of Honor Flight and make the journey of a lifetime.

Michael E. Potter of Marion is the public relations director of Honor Flight and an Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1970-1972. Comments: mkelpotter@mchsi.com