Hear from an Honor Flight Veteran
Choosing to have your special day with an Honor Flight hub can be an exciting, nerve-wracking, and even emotional decision.
Hear from some of our Stars and Stripes Honor Flight veterans as they share the impact their flight day had on them.
Randy Zemel – Vietnam War
Marines, 1965-1969
Watch Randy’s Interview with Watts Communication, Inc. here
“I felt a gush of emotion just pouring out of me. It was something that I haven’t felt in over 50 years. I felt healing, I felt closure. Everything was happening all at once, it was just a spectacular moment that I never expected in my life to happen. I was totally changed by that day.”
Ron Bartkowski – Vietnam War
Army, 1968-1971
Watch Ron’s Interview with Watts Communication, Inc. here
“It was the greatest thing I ever did. It has been a lasting effect, I have made so many friends.”
Joy Loucks – Vietnam War
Army, 1970-1976 (Purple Heart Recipient)
Watch Joy’s Interview with Watts Communication, Inc. here
“I think it helped me to finally accept my time and service. To accept the fact that when people say “Welcome Home”, they mean it. Now, I am proud of my service. I am proud of what I did. I am proud of wearing my uniform, I am proud to salute the flag. I am not afraid to say I was in the service anymore.”
Charlie Walton – Vietnam War
Marines, 1969-1976
Watch Charlie’s Interview with Watts Communication, Inc. here
“I could see all of those branches of service out there honoring us. It was worth every moment that I spent in Vietnam. It was worth everything that I wanted to do, and had to do, in the process coming home. It was a lot of years later that I got that feeling, but it was worth the wait. I felt so happy to see all of those people honoring that little boy from Mississippi.”
Howard Hadley – Vietnam War
Air Force, 1963-1989
Watch Howard’s Interview with Watts Communication, Inc. here
“Don’t be afraid. This is something that will help give you an insight into why we served, why we did what we did. It will help get it off your chest if you’ve held it in. I carried the unfortunate experience coming back from Vietnam for 32 years, but when I finished up the day, it was like I was renewed. I felt welcomed, I felt worth that I didn’t have before.”
Alvin Flowers – Vietnam War
Marines, 1968-1971
Watch Alvin’s Interview with Watts Communication, Inc. here
“It was almost overwhelming. I felt very appreciated and very proud for what I had done to serve the country. I used to have trouble sleeping. I was haunted with recurring nightmares that have been significantly reduced, if not eliminated. I feel a sense of new birth. I do have a life in front of me now, I don’t have to hide from those demons anymore.”
Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, Inc.
Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, Inc. honors veterans with a life-changing trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials and experience a day of honor and thanks.
Dr. Ted O'Reilly