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Freedom Honor Flight reunion shares old and new memories
Many of the veterans who went to Washington D.C. in early May on the Freedom Honor Flight got together Sunday afternoon for a chance to reminisce about the trip.
Sitting at the Omni Center with family members, some of whom also went on the trip as guardians, the veterans had the chance to meet up with others from the trip plus enjoy a presentation with highlights from the flight.
There was also an opportunity for veterans to share their thoughts.
Their comments tied into their appreciation of going to Washington and the job that the honor flight volunteers did.
One of those who spoke was Robert Mahr of Galesville. He served in the Air Force from 1969-73 as a long range radar operator.
He told the gathering that he couldn’t come up with enough accolades for the volunteers and what the day meant to him.
“I pray to God that I will never lose my memory that I would forget that day. It was so special, it is so memorable. And to share it with my son Ray, it was just super, “he said afterwards.
He added, “I’ve never experienced anything that was so personal and yet given to so many other people at the same time. And we all had that same feeling of being cared for, being honored. It was an experience of a lifetime.”
His son Ray was his father’s guardian that helped him during the trip. Ray also served in the Marines, a point of pride with Mahr.
When asked about the reluctance that some veterans felt about taking part in the Freedom Honor Flight, he talked about his son’s father-in-law. The man didn’t want to go but once he did, Mahr said he was a changed man who could speak about some of his experiences, good and bad, in the service.
Mahr was affected, too. He once felt, never having gone to Vietnam, that he hadn’t done enough, especially when he knew people that died over there. That changed, though.
“I talked with other Vietnam veterans, and they said, ‘No you didn’t miss anything’. They had a job to do, I had a job to do, as did all of the vets, do different aspects. And that’s what makes it great…that we’re of different services but of the same cloth…to serve our country.”
Freedom Honor Flight
Each veteran who made the flight in May received a photo book and a portable thumb drive with pictures and video of the trip to Washington.
There is about a three year wait to take part in one of the two yearly Freedom Honor Flights.
Find information on the program and how to sign up here.
The next flight is scheduled for Saturday, September 13.
Coverage of the May 3 Freedom Honor Flight to Washington
Freedom Honor Flight: Welcome Home
Freedom Honor Flight: ‘Others more deserving’
Freedom Honor Flight: Seeing my friend
