(WFXR) — Twelve veterans will take a journey alongside friends as they tour different memorials through the Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight.
WFXR News’ Kathlynn Stone will be traveling with these men and women who served in wars such as WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. She will be sharing their stories throughout the week.
Day 3 of the Honor Flight
1:30 p.m.: Veterans returned to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford. While there, they talked about what the Honor Flight meant to them and shared other personal stories.
11:30 a.m.: A motorcycle escort met up with the Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight to escort the veterans back to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford.
Day 2 of the Honor Flight
4 p.m.: Veterans arrived at the Korean and Vietnam War memorials at the same time. They had a chance to pay their respects at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
They also had a chance to tour the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
It was a special day for Jimmy Haynes and Clifton “Buck” Krantz who served in the Vietnam War. While at the memorial they found the names of friends and comrades who died during the war.
Zane Shepherd played an important role in getting his uncle, a Vietnam veteran, to come on the trip. Jimmy Haynes toured the memorials with his sister, Leandra Shepherd (Zane’s mom), who served as his guardian.
2:30 p.m.: Next on the trip was the WWII Memorial Saturday afternoon. Veterans took the time to tour the memorial before heading to the Vietnam and Korean War memorials.
While at the WWII Memorial, Frank Radford, a Korean War veteran, had the opportunity to meet a family with two children from South Korea.
There were numerous signs of appreciation for Veterans on Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight. During the trip, children and adults asked to take photographs with veterans. They also would reach for handshakes and say, “Thank you for your service.” They especially want to thank WWII veterans.
11:45 a.m.: Veterans toured the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. WFXR News’ Kathylnn Stone says that each victim’s age and the location at the time of the attack have been permanently inscribed into the memorial by the unique placement and direction of each of the 184 memorial units.
10:45 a.m.: Veterans arrived at the Marine Corps Memorial where the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performed.
They also visited the statute of the Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, who climbed the rough terrain of Mount Suribachi and planted a flag at the top on the morning of Feb. 23. That day, around 10:30 a.m., men saw the American flag flying on Iwo Jima.
10 a.m.: Veterans arrived at Arlington National Cemetery, where they watched the changing of the guard ceremony before walking the cemetery grounds.
9 a.m.: There was a special surprise for a female veteran on the Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight. Kathryn Whorley Norris Campbell, an Army vet who served during the Vietnam War, was given a certificate containing her service information. This is archived at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. It is the only memorial that houses historical documents containing all military women’s services. This recognition is available to other female veterans who apply.
8:55 a.m.: It was an early start as the veterans made a stop at the Seabees Memorial. This stop was for WWII veteran Richard Inlow, who was part of the Naval Construction Force, better known as the Seabees during the war.
8 a.m.: Before the veterans hopped back on the bus, they gathered together for a group photo.
Some children who were in the hotel lobby thanked each veteran for their service Saturday morning before the second day of the Honor Flight trip started.
Day 1 of the Honor Flight
5:40 p.m.: After a long trip, the veterans arrived at their hotel on Friday evening. WFXR News’ Kathlynn Stone says that the veterans received a surprise welcome. People lined up holding signs and waving flags to thank them for their service.
3:10 p.m.: WFXR News’ Kathlynn Stone says that the bus made its first stop. Their first leg of the journey took them to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. While there, veterans experienced a retirement ceremony.
10 a.m.: The Honor Flight trip started and WFXR News’ Kathlynn Stone is on the bus and spoke with Richard Inlow, a WWII veteran who is on this trip with his brother. Inlow talked about why this trip is so important.
7 a.m.: On Friday, April 22, veterans woke up early and headed to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford before boarding a bus to Washington, D.C. This year’s Honor Flight has 12 veterans: two who served in WWII, two who served in WWII and Korea, one who served in Korea, and seven who served in Vietnam.
Before heading onto the bus, veterans had a chance to tour the D-Day Memorial.
In 1941, Company A provided soldiers to the 29th Infantry Division when the National Guard’s 116th Infantry Regiment became activated on Feb. 3. These soldiers from Bedford were part of the First Division’s Task Force O that assaulted Omaha Beach.
In 1944, Bedford recorded a population of about 3,200 people and it had the nation’s severest D-Day losses. To recognize the Bedford, Congress established the National D-Day Memorial as a way of honoring all communities whose citizen-soldiers served that day.
As the 12 veterans along with their caretakers get ready to embark on a journey to the capital, a ceremony was held.
WFXR News’ Kathlynn Stone spoke with Martin Leamy, president and CEO of Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight, about the purpose and funding behind Honor Flight.
For more information on how you can donate or sign up for future Honor Flight trips, visit the Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight website.
