WWII Memorial
Chuck Kennedy, photographer ….
It’s a treat when my best friends stop down and we have the oppotunity to take some pictures together. Chuck Kennedy (left), an award-winning photographer and a very old friend and I had the opportunity to “touch elbows” as we photographed the Texas group at the WWII Memorial. Chuck was working with writer David Montgomery […]
Honor Flight Kansas – Student Edition
Lyndon, Kansas Honor flight was at World War II Memorial. Brian Spencer, Superintendent of the Lyndon, Kansas school system has been in twice this year and I believe he is doing another couple of trips. He always brings his students and they really put a lot of effort into a beautiful ceremony. He wrote the following: […]
It’s all in the details…
On Saturday, May 3rd, there were 800 veterans at the World War II Memorial. They came from Fargo, ND, Michigan, Dayton, Akron-Canton, Missouri, Long Island, Louisiana, Toledo, Kansas and Miami, Ohio. Everything went extraordinarily well: tents, food, oxygen, wheelchairs, scooters, wreaths, ground crew, etc… Much of this Saturday’s coordination was done by Susan Barr and […]
Book Sale at the FDR Memorial
“Jewel of the Mall” is available at every bookstore and Museum in town. The only place you can’t buy it is at the WWII Memorial. However, just four blocks away, Linda Smith who runs the bookstore at the FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) Memorial has a sale going with a set of four frameable 5×7 postcards […]
Kilroy temporarily in hiding….
In case you are looking for Kilroy at the WWII Memorial and can’t find him, he’s still in the stairway to the maintainence area just behind the Delaware Pillar. It’s difficult to see him right now as there is construction going on. He can only be seen from a distance. You should be looking for […]
WWII Fighter Plane Restoration
Senator Dole is shown here with Eric Trueblood of North Dakota who rebuilds antique WWII planes and is currently at work on gathering the parts for P51 Mustang fighter planes– a unique job with unique customers. The WWII Memorial is an amazing world which comes to you. Talking with this young man about restoring these […]
My New Assistants
Marian Watkins, an attorney on the Senator’s staff and her husband Seth have gone into training as my assistants. Seth has become especially adept and he claims to be able to juggle three cameras while photographing. And his command of the crowds is both pleasant and efficient. These lawyers are pretty handy when you need them. […]
Seven State Festival… Fargo goes wild!
Saturday, May 3rd was particularly exciting at the World War II Memorial. Honor Flight groups from seven states participated during the weekend. It began with dinner at the Hyatt on Friday night with Tracy Briggs. As usual, she said this is her “last trip” (we hope not!!) for the WDAY North Dakota Group. Senator Dorgan […]
Kansas at World War II Memorial
Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, Jerry Moran and Senator Dole posed for a picture with the Kansas Honor Flight. Despite the fact that it was mid-week, I believe there were four separate flights that came into the World War II Memorial.. It should be quite a Summer. Honor Flight is featured in Jewel of the Mall: World […]
First Flights: Birmingham, Alabama
Amy McDonald and Pam Nichols stand next to Senator Dole and Congresswoman Kaptur at an Honor Flight Press Briefing held at the WWII Memorial. This was Alabama’s first flight and according to Amy “we had a great day and I’m still swirling in all the emotion. It was our first flight and we learned a […]
Emerald Coast Honor Flight
Emerald Coast Honor Flight was first on the scene yesterday and it seemed there were as many guardians and staff as Veterans. Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida was on hand to greet the Veterans. A particularly moving wreath ceremony was held centered on the reflecting pool with the Lincoln in the background. There were 130 […]
Dole and Kaptur visit with Honor Flight at WWII Memorial
It was an epic day. Senator Dole and Congresswoman Marcie Kaptur visited with WWII veterans at the WWII Memorial today. Marcie Kaptur proposed the legislation and ushered it through Congress and Senator Dole made the rest happen by raising the 200 million dollars necessary to build the Memorial. They both must have felt enormous satisfaction. […]
Duos….
Myron Nolish from California and his grandaughter Becky were at the WWII Memorial this weekend with Jim McLaughlin. It’s nice to see these generations together and to bear witness to the love that prompted these two to travel together. And speaking of love…Also at the Memorial this weekend were husband and wife in uniform Belle […]
Ground Support at the WWII Memorial
Diane Sinclair, a member of the Honor Flight DC Ground Crew, lives out by Dulles and manages to get in to support us every weekend at the WWII Memorial. She had two of these artificial wreaths made up which can be used by the various flights in their flag ceremonies normally held out by the […]
Making a Difference…NBC News
Honor Flight Receives National Media Attention Springfield, OH. The Honor Flight Network (HFN), headquartered in Springfield, OH was featured on a national news broadcast. NBC News National Correspondent Janet Shamlian accompanied the first flight of 2008 from the Dayton International Airport on April 19, 2008. NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams aired the story last Friday. […]
Honor Flight: April 19th…the cat’s meow….
To the sounds of a bagpipe, the twenty buses offloaded seven hundred veterans, one hundred volunteers and there were ceremonies for every state represented and always, a rembrance for those who didn’t get the opportunity to make the trip. Joyce Tarantino and her ground crew arranged for groups of soldiers to greet the vets at […]
Opening Day and More Bright Lights!!!
JEFF MILLER’S FILM CREW at WWII MEMORIAL Jeff Miller, Co-Founder of the Honor Flight Network will have a professional film crew at the WWII Memorial putting together a virtual walk-through of the WWII Memorial. This project, shot in HD, will be available for WWII Veterans everywhere who are not capable of taking our trips. Jeff […]
Opening Day for Honor Flight: April 19th!!!
This coming Saturday is going to be “opening day” for Honor Flight’s seasonal Flights. There are fifteen states sending 700 WWII veterans to the World War II Memorial and the forecast is for “Sunny and 82.” Senator Dole will be there and Earl Morse is going to be accompanied by an NBC National TV crew […]
Honor Flight’s Early Birds
Today, Honor Flight had three flights come in. I was just able to get down to the World War II Memorial to say hello and make some snaps. Jim McLaughlin brought a flight of Lone Eagles who joined a Cinncinati Group at the airport. With them were Thelma and Bob Worden and their son John. […]
Oneida, New York …the First Bus
Erwin Smith of Oneida, New York brought the first load of 52 veterans and guardians to the WWII Memorial today, Tuesday April 8th, 2008. The group is in for three days and this is the second year and the second trip for the Oneida Rotary Club. Like Honor Flight, the Vets were accompanied by guardians […]
Cherry Blossoms
Washington is at its peak. After a wonderfully mild Winter, the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom and the town is a riot of color. It’s time to bring those Veterans in and I am looking forward to Honor Flights coming into town. I will be reporting on every honor flight if you Honor flight leaders […]
Veterans Affairs…a Day on the Hill
I accompanied Commander Henry Cook of the Military Order of the Purple Heart to the Joint Senate/House Hearings on Veterans Affairs. The VA is covered by this committee as are any number of Veterans Groups and the conversation was at times spirited. It’s nice to know that there are advocates for veterans welfare. As a […]
Air Force Association
Speaking of Al Bailey and the Air Force, I got a call from Susan Rubel at the Air Force Association and AFA Veteran Benefits Association asking for books for their online store. They are also presenting the “Jewel of the Mall” book at a special discount for their members and it will go out as […]
Susan Barr… “spreading the word”
Susan Barr is the Public Relations Director for Honor Flight and an emergency room nurse and mother of two. Unflappable and ever-observant, I normally find her standing back, talking constantly on a headset to coordinate events while monitoring the health and hydration of every person involved in an Honor Flight. She’s up until midnight every […]