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Old 09-11-2021, 09:18 AM   #1
Ironhorse
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Back Home - Honor Flight

Can't think of a more appropriate time to post some of the pics I took on my Kansas Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC. As I sit hear I just glanced at my watch and it is just a few minutes past 8:00 AM. Twenty years ago at this very time I was still working prior to retirement and watching live on the TV in our break room as the second aircraft slammed into the second of the two World Trade Center Towers. At the time no one knew we were witnessing our own "Pearl Harbor " moment but there was a sense that this was a moment we would not forget.

We departed Wichita Kansas early dark thirty Weds. morning and arrived back home just yesterday afternoon around 1:00 PM. A quick but very emotional and moving trip. As I post pics of our trip will most likely have to edit as I go to add a bit of a description and information during the thread.

The first pic is of the unloading the bus with one WW2 veteran, 95 years young, who fought on the beaches of Iwo Jima and later in the hills of Korea. There was also one other Korean War veteran and 32 Vietnam War veterans along with numerous "Guardians" who went along to aid and assist the less able bodied veterans who needed the use of a wheel chair to view the Memorials.

The second pic is of the arch entrance for the Pacific entrance to the WW2 Memorial. There is a Atlantic arch entrance at the opposite side of the Memorial but I neglected to get a pic of it. Sorry for that but there is just so much too see and the time constraints of keeping such a large group together was a bit over whelming as we attempted to see as much as possible in the time we had.

The third pic shows a stone column and laurel wreath depicting each of the individual states at the time of the war and the Atlantic arch entrance in the background. Fourth pic is a bit closer to those columns.

The fourth pic of this group showing a wall covered in gold stars each representing 100 American lives lost during the time period of WW2.
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Last edited by Ironhorse; 09-11-2021 at 09:42 AM. Reason: Adding info for each picture
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Old 09-11-2021, 09:47 AM   #2
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Next grouping of pics, will take some time as I took nearly 65 digital camera pics during the trip and also others with my cell phone cam. A LOT of pics and will take a bit of time. We got up at 3:15 AM Washington DC eastern time in order to make the trip home. I had not flown since prior to 9/11 and the changes made since then are CONSIDERABLE to say the least. More on that later.

First pic is self explanatory with the meaning of each star. Another pic of the Washington monument. Does not show well in the pic but the lower 1/3rd of the monument is a different color than the upper 2/3rds. During the Civil War work was halted and when began again the original granite stone used was no longer able to be obtained thus a different color granite had to be used.

Third pic shows a depiction of the WW2 Character Kilroy who was known thru out the war as being everywhere and on everything. This was placed on a wall as it had much significance to WW2 veterans.

Fourth pic is of the Lincoln Memorial. Did not have time to climb the stairs to the interior, our time was limited for sure.

Last pic is "The Three Soldiers" near the Vietnam Wall Memorial. Very lifelike and stirred some emotions and memories as I stood there taking in the depicted M-16s and M-60 MG, flak jackets, and even the jungle fatigues. I took an actual jungle fatigue shirt with me that I brought home from Vietnam just as I wore it at the time. SP/5 patches, 84th Engr. Bn. patch with my last time and US Army tags attached. Amazingly I can still wear it after all these years and it still buttons as it should. Maybe just a bit tighter than when I was a lad of 19 but then I am no longer a lad of 19, simply an old man of 72 years with a lot of memories of that time. Many I wish I could forget.
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Last edited by Ironhorse; 09-11-2021 at 10:01 AM. Reason: Adding info for each picture
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Old 09-11-2021, 10:10 AM   #3
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

I just realized I did not take any pictures at the Vietnam Wall Memorial with my digital camera, they are all on my cell phone. I have to admit I was a bit, no, more than a bit emotional standing there at The Wall thinking back to those times. Thinking of Bill who I went to school with, he being a year behind me, who was a Marine PFC, lost his life at 19 years old after being in Vietnam seven months. Of Sandy, who I served with in Germany. He was from Ft. Worth Texas, a nicer guy you will have been able to meet. He went to 'Nam before I did by several months and was lost in a helicopter crash, shot down after being in 'Nam 11 months as I recall. Almost near the 12 month rotation home period. His remains were not found for several years after the war, believe in the early 1980's.

Will post pics later of The Wall after I get them downloaded from my cell phone camera. Think I need to take a break here, starting to think too much of those days and the time.
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Old 09-11-2021, 10:12 AM   #4
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

We sure have some fantastic memorials in this nation. More should see them, though plenty do. I'm glad you got to see what you did in the time you had. Thanks for sharing. I'll be watching for more

I have a cousin on that wall
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Old 09-11-2021, 10:17 AM   #5
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Thanks for Sharing










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Old 09-11-2021, 10:33 AM   #6
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Thanks for sharing, I finally understand the Kilroy thing. I'm looking forward to more pics too.
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Old 09-11-2021, 10:51 AM   #7
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Awesome pictures. Thanks!
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Old 09-11-2021, 11:37 AM   #8
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Okay, the break helped, some more pictures from the trip

First pic, the US Capital building as seen from the street during our bus tour.

Second and last pics are of the US Marine Corps Iwo Jima Flag Raising Memorial. The statue is actually a depiction of the event which was re-posed after Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press seen a group of Marines raise a US flag during the battle for the island. He asked for an opportunity to take a second picture of that moment as the country needed to see that the war in the Pacific was really carrying the fight to the Japanese held islands after Peal Harbor. Later President John Kennedy decried that the flag at the Iwo Jima Memorial be flown 24 hours a day and lighted at night.

The 4th pic is of one of our Honor Flight officials reading a list of submitted names of Veterans no longer with us while standing next to the wreath from Kansas which would later be placed at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Included in the reading of the names were my Father's name and my Father-In-Law's name who both in the military during WW2.

The third pic is of one of the many Honor Flight officials while taking break during our tour. They all were very helpful and went out of their way to make sure no Veteran was not cared for.
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Old 09-11-2021, 11:39 AM   #9
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20 View Post
Thanks for sharing, I finally understand the Kilroy thing. I'm looking forward to more pics too.
A LOT of stories behind the proposed history of Kilroy, if interested Google it for the many varied and numerous stories that are given.
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Old 09-11-2021, 12:13 PM   #10
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Next group of pictures from the digital. Still have not gotten the cell cam pics downloaded.

First pic is of all the Kansas Honor Flight Veterans at the Tomb of The Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery. The silence was deafening to hear a pin drop.

Second is of the Guard of the Unknown walking his post. The post is walked 24 hours a day in all types of weather and has never been unguarded since 1937. In remained constantly guarded in September 2003 during hurricane Isabel when guards requested to remain on duty during the actual hurricane weather. These men are VERY dedicated to say the least. Again, Google Tomb of the Unknown for a huge amount of information.

Third is the Sergeant of The Guard as he walks with the Guard coming off The Walk as it is called and begins the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb. During the changing the Sergeant and the Guard both "scuff" their steel cleated heels on the stone walk as a show of respect to all Honor Flight visitors from the various visiting states. It is only audible to those standing near the walk way. 21 steps are taken to cover the length of the walk, 21 seconds to remain in Guard position and 21 seconds after he does his turn before he again walks the 21 steps. Both the Guard and the Sergeant look to be chiseled from stone as they walk showing absolutely no emotion.

Fourth pic is of The Sergeant of The Guard, the Wreath from the State of Kansas and the Tomb Bugler preparing for the Laying of the Wreath.

The last pic shows three of the four Kansas Honor Flight Veterans who were asked to participate in the Laying of the Wreath. The fourth is hidden in the pic by the veteran in the gray slacks. The other Veteran in the front in the tan slacks is none other than yours truly. I was asked with the other three veterans to participate in Laying the Wreath and was truly very honored to do so. It was an amazing moment in my life. This is the event that Presidents, Kings and other visiting dignitaries are given the opportunity to do. Never in my life did I ever have the thought I would one day do this. Actually walking forward with my and the other veterans hands on the wreath, returning and saluting as Taps was being played will remain with me for the rest of my days. A LOT of dust must have been in the air as my eyes kept watering and it was really hard to breathe and stay composed.

Sorry, but I need another break.
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Old 09-11-2021, 03:45 PM   #11
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Great looking pictures. Glad it was a good trip!
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Old 09-12-2021, 08:48 AM   #12
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Thank you for serving our country Gary!!!
Thanks for sharing these events you took part in.
I salute you.
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Old 09-12-2021, 08:42 PM   #13
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Thanks Scott, was a real honor to witness the ceremony and even more so to be a part of it. Will always remember it.
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Old 09-13-2021, 08:25 AM   #14
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Some great looking pictures. Thank you
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Old 09-15-2021, 03:47 PM   #15
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Thank you for the pictures, story, and descriptions. I'm very glad to hear about your trip.
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Old 09-16-2021, 05:44 AM   #16
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

Thanks for taking the time to share this with us. I can only imagine how you felt when you got there. I never knew that about the Tomb of the unknown. That is dedication and perseverance to say the least!
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Old 09-16-2021, 07:48 AM   #17
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Re: Back Home - Honor Flight

As an Air Force veteran, and BIL of Gary, I was able to make the trip also.

I think the most emotional experience for me, besides the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, was finding out that the plane that hit the Pentagon came right above the Air Force Memorial, which had not been there at the time. You could look between two trees and see exactly where it hit.

For anyone who is eligible for an Honor Flight, I recommend making it.
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