Spud had the honor of being chosen to be a guardian for four WWII Veterans on their Honor Flight. He and the vets (plus another 70 vets and 12 other guardians) made the one day trip to Washington, D.C. on April 24th.
The Colonel and I dropped Spud off at the departure point at O-Dark-Thirty (4:30 AM). They were supposed to return at 11:00 PM that evening, but Spud called us from D.C. to let us know their flight was delayed and we did not see him until about 2:00 AM the next morning.
Spud said his charges gave him no trouble throughout the entire trip and this fact made his first visit to D.C. an enjoyable one. The first memorial they visited was the United States Marine Corps one (the Iwo Jima flag raising statue). Spud said his favorite memorials were the Korean War and Viet Nam War. He walked up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial thinking, "I can't believe I am in Washington, D.C." He said he would like to go back one day.
He had one regret concerning the trip...they did not land at Ronald Reagan Airport soon enough to allow a visit to Arlington Cemetery or to see the guards change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Here are some of the pictures Spud took to remember the day by...
Seeing Spud's pictures and listening to him as he told us all about his day in Washington, D.C. made The Colonel and I remember our trip to D.C. nearly 24 years ago for our honeymoon. We'd like to go back one day too. There is so much to see and do in our nation's capitol.The Colonel and I are happy that Spud was able to go on this trip and proud of him for being chosen as a guardian for veterans on their Honor Flights.
I remember going while I was a Junior Leader in 4-H, a lot has changed since the late 70's. The soldier statues are kinda spooky........Kit
ReplyDeleteI have given tours through D.C. many times. I am guide for Shively Hospitality International Tours. I highly recommend their services.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Spud! What an honor.
ReplyDeleteI visited DC in the early 80s and would love to go back. Next time I won't wear makeup though - the Vietnam wall has to be the saddest thing I've ever seen. The number of names is mind blowing. I cried the whole time.