'We can't all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by.' Will Rogers
His company is a big sponsor of the Honor Flight Syracuse.
This year he got to make the trip.
I dropped him at the airport at 430 am, bright eyed and bushy tailed.
He has been busting with excitement about this for weeks!
The Honor Flight takes veterans down to DC to see the memorials.
They charter a plane, prepare boxed lunches and show these old heroes around.
I know he has always wanted to take his dad to DC on such a trip.
He's asked many times, even including our sons to try and intice Tony.
But Tony always says no.
Perhaps this trip was given to him to put that dream to rest.
I guess you never know...
This guy was in the same signal corp as Tony.
The world is so small....
And big....
And cosmic.
We were lucky enough to run into him at the end of the ceremony.
Murray introduced me to him.
He was too sweet, I wanted to rub him all over my face.
With the government being shut down, all the monuments were closed.
Phil said there was a group of Vietnam vets on Harley's waiting for them.
They escorted them to the WW2 Memorial.
The cops rode in to shut down the Lincoln Memorial.
Phil said one of the vets from his bus argued with them, and they got in.
I have to say, I would NOT want to be one of those cops.
Talk about doing someone else's dirty work.
Arlington National Cemetery.
Just look at them all, so reverent, watching the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Later in the day, 10 of the staff had to knock down 2 water filled barriers to get these guys into the Iwo Jima Memorial.
Honestly, what good does closing these monuments do?
On the news, they interviewed one of the vets about this very thing.
He spoke very plainly, saying they needed to get it done and stop this nonsense.
You could see the disappointment in his face.
That's not what he fought for all those years ago.
Ugg.
I went to the airport to see the post trip ceremonies.
They made a water arch over the plane as it taxied to the gate.
Then we moved inside.
They gave everyone a flag to wave!
Some folks made signs.
I wish I'd thought to make one.
There were cheerleaders from a local high school.
While we waited, the crowd sang patriotic songs.
After a long wait, the vets and their guardians paraded in, accompanied by soldiers.
I think you call it a color guard, but I'm not sure.
There were bagpipes playing....
These vets were so emotional.
And grateful..I hope they know we are the grateful ones.
It's the least we can do...honoring their sacrifices.
They were adorable.
One of the vets even stopped in the parade & gave me a hug when I said, 'thank you' to him!
There were speeches.
And no one dared get political.
I might be a bit biased, but I think Murray's was the best one!
It was brief, filled with gratitude and a touch of humor.
And he mentioned both of our dads.
There was a group of Irish singers.
They sang 'An Irish Blessing.'
One of the members was a vet who made the flight.
He was 92 years old!
The kids all came ... They were proud of their dad.
I know he loved this.
I've been fortunate to have time to make volunteering a regular part of my life.
At schools, nursing homes, hospitals & hospices.
With my kids, and alone.
You always get more than you give.
It changes you...
shows you how lucky you really are....
puts things in perspective.
Murray worked so much over the years, it never happened for him.
I'm glad he got this awesome chance to experience the joy of volunteerism.
And spend a day with these true American heroes.
It meant so much to him.And to me, too.
Congrats to you, Murray!
You done good.
This post made me cry, and I am not PMSing.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, Murray done good. It is a wonderful thing to make the world a better place and be there to see the results of your efforts. Hats off to the veterans and to everyone involved with the Honor Flights.
Barb K.