Posts Tagged ‘Senator Robert Dole’
Franklin County Honor Flight
I’d like to take a trip around the country and visit with everyone I’ve met on Honor Flight. As I turned around from photographing the Bluegrass Flight, there was Jim Tayon with a big smile. What a great pleasure to see him and his group. Jim can make you laugh just by his amused expression. […]
Honor Flight Bluegrass
Kentucky’s Bluegrass group lead by Brian Duffy arrived in a light drizzle at the World War II Memorial. After a short attempt to organize the troops for a group photo, we went with some great spontaneous photographs of the veterans and Senator and Mrs. Dole. I am always inspired by the Honor Flight volunteers, the […]
Land of Lincoln Honor Flight at WWII Memorial
Land of Lincoln Honor Flight arrived at the WWII Memorial today in perfect synch with Senator Dole. Lead by Ray Wiedle, the 17 veteran group was met by an Honor Guard and probably had the most comfortable weather of the year. It was a lovely blue sky day punctuated with a good breeze and remarkably […]
Senator Dole strives for new greeting goals
There were 604 veterans from four states at the World War II Memorial today and Senator Dole seems to be restored to health after a rough Summer. He was greeting veterans from all the flights and they all seemed to converge together in a marathon session. One of the veterans from South Dakota, Joel […]
Jim McLaughlin and his Mission:
by George Kerestes, NPS Volunteer and friend of Honor Flight Mr. James McLaughlin, Honor Flight Chairman of the Board, is responsible for arranging transportation and guardians for all of our Lone Eagle Veterans. You will not see him escorting very large groups (100s) of World War II Veterans; rather you will see him with a […]
Central Iowa at WWII Memorial
As three hunderd and fifty citizens cheered and a band played, 404 Iowans took to the air this morning after a night of celebrations and banquets. When I arrived at the WWII Memorial, forty or so Iowans who had flown out on commercial airplanes were already there and we waited together Fortunately, we had a ten […]
Columbus is Double Doled
Bobbi and Bill Richards arrived at the World War II Memorial at about 11 AM with their Columbus veterans and TWICE IN A ROW, we got the group picture right away. I guess they’ve done nine trips this year and seven to go so will be picking up the big award this year for most […]
Columbus: Like Clock Work at the WWII Memorial
Senator Elizabeth Dole poses with Bill and Bobbi Richards, Honor Fliight’s most frequent flyers, at the WWII Memorial. They come to DC every two weeks and today I believe we not only got a photograph of the Columbus group but also single frames of every WWII Veteran with Mrs. Dole. Honor Flight is featured in […]
Lone Eagles/TLC’s: Jim McLaughlin
Jim McLaughlin quietly goes about his avocation as Chairman of the Board, flying hither and yon to pick up the WWII Veterans known as TLC’s (“their last chance”) and the “Lone Eagles”, veterans who don’t have a hub within 120 miles. Their applications and visits to the Memorials are all arranged and expedited by […]
Senator Robert Dole Relaxing
Senator Dole has jumped into bed for a few days of rest and relaxation at Walter Reed Hospital. He was stricken with some kind of malady while surprisingly enough at the WWII Memorial greeting veterans. His law firm Alston & Byrd issued a statement saying that they were relieved to know “where he had […]
Central Illinois: Picture Perfect at WWII Memorial
Central Illinois showed up on what must be the most beautiful day of the year: about 82 degees, 10 knots of wind and nice fat dry clouds for intermittent shade. After a Springtime of rain, hopefully we are going to stay dry for our Summer flights. Don Niehart was leading 28 WWII Veterans and almost […]
Sun eventually shines on WWII Memorial!
I arrived at the WWII Memorial to see a clump of plastic raincoats and umbrellas and there was Senator Dole in the midst of the early morning crowd. The rain soon turned torrential and lightning began to strike and he and Mrs. Dole went to the car for a bit. We thought we would convince […]
Normandy Beach: 65 Years After
Senators Robert and Elizabeth Dole flew over yesterday to attend the Normandy D-day Festivities with President Obama today and tomorrow. Mike Marshall and Marion Watkins accompanied them along with some 80 veterans. Now that has to be exciting. And hopefully some good press for Honor Flight. I spend a lot of time with Senator Dole […]
May 30 2009: Long Island; North Carolina; Dayton and Canton, Ohio
As there were ceremonies later today at the Lincoln celebrating it’s restoration, most of the Veterans Groups made their trips to the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean Memorials to avoid the crowds. Jeff Miller and I started off at National Airport where US Airways honored the planes with music and festivities as well as the ceremonial […]
Memorial Day 2009, WWII Memorial
Fifth Anniversary of the WWII Memorial By George Kerestes At today’s program, Friends of the National World War II Memorial (http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/) joined with the National Park Service in a special program recognizing the 5th anniversary of the dedication of the Memorial. The program included music by the United States Marine Band, and a bugler and color guard from the […]
Oh So Sweet
Mr. and Mrs. Lacey of “Honor Bus” located in Mechanicsburg, Pa drove all the way down to DC today to present Senator Dole with his own five pound chocolate bar. The only other person to get this honor from Hershey Chocolates was Mick Jagger… so “rock on” Senator and make sure you share. The cover […]
The Usual Suspects
As I walked onto the Memorial grounds today, Lona and her crew of volunteers were getting ready to greet the Connecticut Honor Flight. As usual, the chairs were laid out, the food ready and the water in plentiful supply. They take turns escorting the veterans around the Memorial and then making sure they get food […]
May 16, 2009: A Gaggle of Vets at the WWII Memorial
Jay McMaster, Brian Duffy, Dan Finch, Bob Haggard, Jeff Miller, Bill and Bobbi Richards, and Faye Wisely showed up at the WWII Memorial as did Senators Dole and Dole. It was a terrific gathering of approximately 500 Veterans and half again as many guardians. Both Kari and Lea helped with the photography and if you […]
“F8 and Be There”…May 6, 2009
We DC photographers have a motto: “F8 and Be There” which means “…be there or you’re fired”. Well I’m “history” as I’ve been missing everybody in the past two days. Yesterday, I barely caught up with Al Bailey who was traveling with Central Missouri at the WWII Memorial. I arrived just in time to pass […]
“And that’s how we roll….”
What a day!!! The rain held off and Prattville Alabama’s schoolchildren turned out to welcome arriving eight hubs to the WWII Memorial. Serendipitously, their school trip to DC coinicided with the Alabama hub’s plans and they formed up to cheer the Veterans from all the hubs as they entered and left the Memorial. Great stuff! […]
Five Years
Thanks to Mary Pettinato for reminding me today that it was five years today that the World War II Memorial was opened. Twenty four hours before that I was riding around in a cherry picker 24/7 photographing the last scenics without people. It was pretty cool having it all to myself! Then all of you […]
Five Years Today – World War II Memorial
Mary Pettinato reminded me today that it was five years today that the Memorial was opened (top left). “…On April 29, 2004, the National World War II Memorial opened in Washington, D.C., to thousands of visitors, providing overdue recognition for the 16 million U.S. men and women who served in the war. The memorial is […]
The Season begins–DC Ground Crew Shines
With over 100 volunteers between Dulles, BWI, National Airports and the thirty at the WWII Memorial, DC Ground Crew is staffed up to take some numbers and Honor Flight brought them on. Over 1000 veterans from ten hubs pouring into the Memorial, DC lived up to its reputation for not only its beauty but its […]
Indiana, Illinois and preparations for the Fall
Tracy Briggs (noticed the tricked out shirts with the snazzy logos!….the usual North Dakota SWAG!) and Judy Lemmons were on hand today with Senator Dole, the Hoosier and Central Illinois Honor Flights at the WWII Memorial. Tracy and Judy are in town for the week planning some events for the Fall and will also […]