Rochelle resident shared his story of his recent trip of a lifetime on the Honor Flight, joining nearly 100 other veterans on the trip to the nation’s capital to tour the World War II, Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam, Iwo Jima, Air Force, and Navy Memorials.
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ROCHELLE — Veterans served our country and were willing to sacrifice everything for America’s freedoms. The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization created to honor veterans for all of their sacrifices, transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials free of charge.
Rochelle resident Terry West shared his story of his recent trip of a lifetime on the Honor Flight, joining nearly 100 other veterans on the trip to the nation’s capital to tour the World War II, Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam, Iwo Jima, Air Force, and Navy Memorials.
West, a Vietnam Veteran, also visited the National Air and Space Museum and had a chance to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
“It was awesome…I recommend all Veterans sign up on the Honor Flight and go,” West said. “It’s well worth it to go to this.”
West explained the whirlwind daylong trip began on a bus ride to the Quad Cities with a military escort. From there the group boarded a plane to Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Airport where they were received by over 300 elementary students lined on either side, shaking the veterans’ hands and giving them handwritten notes, thanking them for their service.
The idea behind the trip is to transport U.S. veterans to Washington, D.C. free of charge to visit those War and Service memorials, which are dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of military personnel.
“The Korean Memorial really stood out…there are statues of soldiers on patrol,” West said when asked about a memorable moment. “At night they have a bluish-green light and it’s eerie.”
Military days
Honor and closure