It was such an incredible honor to be part of Blue Ridge Honor Flight’s May 21st, 2022 flight to DC as an official Guardian to my veterans Tom Ruppe (US Army), AKA Top, and Bob Smith, USAF. Gabriel Garcia, Chaplain at VA in Oteen was also in our group as a Guardian. He was an incredible blessing! I could not have completed this journey with my two veterans without his willing heart, kind spirit and strength. Both of my veterans were completely mobile but to make this journey more special for them, we gave them first class treatment and pushed them in wheelchairs, gave them personal fans and held the umbrella over them to shade them from the sweltering heat.
Unfortunately, my buddy Terry Anders was called home before I could take him on the trip with us, but I made a promise to him and his family; I would take him with us once Honor Flights resumed post Covid. On May 21st, I was able to fulfill that promise made nearly two years ago. Flights finally resumed and I brought with me some of Terry’s home going flowers that I had kept from his celebration of life ceremony July 3rd, 2020. I also made a photo button of Terry in his Army service uniform that I proudly wore throughout the day. It was an honor to carry his memory with us.
Although Guardian training prepared the guardians for the flight, no one could truly prepare us for the journey we took – the raw emotions; the experience itself, indescribable! The entire staff and volunteers were very professional and thought of everything, from the water cannon salutes, to the welcoming committee and especially the welcome home celebration in Asheville, to the countless snacks, water, and food throughout the day, right down to the honor ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial. The Honor Flight program is a “well oiled machine!” Nothing was left to chance.
The day was spent honoring these heroes and recognizing them for their sacrifices. 92 Vietnam Veterans, 2 WWII Veterans, 1 Korean War Veteran, 2 doctors, 3 EMTs, Honor Flight support staff and guardians all boarded the aircraft headed for BWI at 7:30 a.m., and returned to Asheville at 8:45 p.m. It was a long but most incredible day! Getting to hear the different stories, being witness to new friendships being forged, witnessing the countless displays of honor and respect not only given these veterans by the Honor Flight program, but also by complete strangers, young and old. Priceless! I spent the day choking back tears as well as letting them roll down my cheeks as I watched these brave warriors finally get the respect, honor, and long overdue “welcome home” they all deserved.
Even though the entire day was very memorable and there were countless displays of honor and respect I could share, I will say that the most humbling moment was during the changing of the guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. The ceremony itself has always pulled at my heart strings, but this day was different. It was more special, with an added display of respect. Since the guards cannot break ceremony and speak with our veterans, they let them know they were glad they were there and they gave them an indescribable “Thank you for your service.” You see, during the ceremony, if you knew what to listen for, you could hear the scrape of a shoe during the ceremony. A respect only given to Honor Flight veterans. As I stood over Top with an umbrella, shading him from the blazing heat, I heard the scrape; a lump welled in my throat, then tears began to fall. What an incredible moment of honor and respect. I can’t help but wonder how deeply this was felt by our veterans. I recorded the video and have played it over a dozen times; chokes me up every time.
For more information on Blue Ridge Honor Flight, to apply as a veteran (free of costs), or a guardian, click here.
