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 Al Bailey. Earlier in the week, Earl and Earl had done a marathon drive. Jim McLaughlin had been all over the country. And Jeff Miller had been charming as usual! He had also thrown himself in front of an electric wheelchair!!! The VA is becoming more proactive and Heidi Elswick of the White House News Photographers Association has been so enthused by Honor Flight that she is highlighting it at the Annual Awards Dinner this May 10th. It should be a fun evening.

This morning I am looking at a scheduling sheet for last Saturday and am amazed at the details which make the Honor Flights happen as smoothly as they do. There are now fifty plus Honor Flight Network Organizations in thirty-one states. Every Wednesday and Saturday, planes take off with cheering crowds at the airports, fire engines douse the planes, the vets are greeted at airports by ground crew and escorted by motorcycle to and from the Memorial. It’s quite a lovely effort and the renewal I get out of every flight is addictive. I suspect it’s the same for all the volunteers and is the reason the organization is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s only Spring and I am very much looking forward to working with everyone this year. You are all quite wonderful.

Honor Flight is featured in Jewel of the Mall: World War II Memorial.