“The Honor Flight reunions are very moving,” says Char A., life enrichment assistant and Valiant Veterans® coordinator at Chandler Place, a community managed by The Goodman Group in St. Anthony, MN.

As Americans, we know the importance of our military heroes when it comes to our rights and freedoms. But we also recognize that veterans can often go unthanked for their service and sacrifice. 

“They need to know they are heroes,” Char says. Through her involvement with the Honor Flight Network, Char has experienced firsthand the positive impact an Honor Flight can have on a veteran as they visit the U.S. war memorials in Washington D.C.

An Experience of a Lifetime

Branches of the organization across the country are showing veterans their appreciation by flying veterans and their guardians to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for an experience of a lifetime. 

“One of the veterans who participated in Honor Flight was just overwhelmed when he came back,” Char shared. “He could hardly talk about it. He said he loved the whole experience.”

The National Honor Flight Organization formed in 2005 as a way to help the World War II generation of veterans visit their respective war memorial completed at the nation's capitol one year earlier. 

Since then, the network has transported over 300,000 veterans to Washington, D.C., with approximately 22,500 veterans taking the trip each year. The organization now operates through 138 hubs across the country, serving veterans in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

In addition to the World War II Memorial, veterans visit the Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln memorials. Many flights include visits to the Air Force Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial and the Military Women's Memorial. They also visit Arlington National Cemetery, where they watch the Changing of the Guard near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

It is a humbling experience for the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Roll Call! Veterans Surprised with V-Mail

On the flight, there is a roll call and each veteran receives victory mail, or v-mail as they called it during the war. Letters are written by family, friends and in some cases, students from local schools.

“I could not believe we received v-mail,” says Don, a former Air Force pilot, who wrote Char a six-page letter after his trip. “V-mail was the way we wrote letters during the war. You would buy a lightweight form with a printed stamp. It would go to a designated U.S. location after being written, microfilmed on a reel, then the reel would be flown to the general location, printed back on paper and delivered.”

In Washington, D.C., many of the veterans also received thanks from other tourists as they made their way around the memorials. Spoken appreciation is foreign for many of these veterans because they did not receive a warm welcome home after serving in the war. For some, it was the first time anyone had thanked them for their service.

The Welcome Home They Deserved

Upon returning home, a large crowd gathers at the airport. It is nearly 11 p.m., but that doesn't stop family, friends, active local veterans and sometimes school bands from showing up to the airport. Veterans are welcomed home with cheers, handshakes and salutes.

As the veterans get off the plane, they are welcomed home with applause, cheers, handshakes, salutes and music.

One of the veteran's daughters wrote to Char about her father Jerry's experience. “To be able to see the sights in Washington, D.C., was wonderful,” she shared, "but the most touching was the welcome home at the Minneapolis airport.” Jerry was 95 when he took the trip, and his daughter says he was smiling ear-to-ear as he accepted the long overdue praise.

The trip leaves a lasting impression on those who are lucky enough to get a seat on the flight.

Veterans Resources Share Common Goals

Both Jerry and Don learned about the flight through Valiant Veterans®, a Life Enrichment program at The Goodman Group’s managed communities. It offers monthly activities for veterans and their loved ones to spend time together, share stories and commemorate unique times in America's history. The program features guest speakers, programs and interactions with local military organizations and veterans.

Honor Flight trips are free of charge to veterans. The organization prioritizes World War II and terminally ill veterans, with Korean and Vietnam service eras considered on a space-available basis. Veterans interested in applying can visit the Honor Flight Network website to find their nearest hub and submit an application.

“We make sure the events are a big deal because the veterans are a big deal,” Char says. Communities managed by The Goodman Group are proud to offer U.S. veterans a 5% discount off their monthly rent for the length of their lease as our way of saying ‘thank you’.* 

“Everybody needs to be reminded that the freedoms we have are because of them.”

*Discount does not apply to second person fee, pet fee, care services or packages, or à la carte service charges. Additional terms and conditions apply. Contact the managed senior living community directly for details.