On Sunday September 21st, there was an Honor Flight which departed from Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.
The flight was named “Operation Honor” and was the first time that veterans have flown to Washington DC for an honor flight departing from a military base, on military aircraft.
Sign acknowledging the Honor Flight event
The Honor flights are an opportunity for aging veterans to visit their respective branch of military service monuments in Washington DC. While there they are able to visit these memorials and pay their respects to their departed comrades.
Welcome crowd sees the returning plane land in Dayton
Each veteran is accompanied by a sponsor or caregiver to attend with them and provide support when needed. As this is an aging group, medical professionals also are present to provide support and medical care if/when needed.
Military honor guard awaits the return of these veterans from their DC trip
On this trip, two United States Air Force (USAF) C-17’s carried 166 veterans from Wright Patterson AFB to the nation’s capital and back.
Mike Gunn and Scott Freeman with members of the 445th Airlift Wing’s Security Forces Squadron, Tactical Development Section, who provided security for the event.
Security Force Patch – 445th
Prior to the veterans return in Dayton, there was a celebration and free concert inside a large hanger on the base starting at 4:00 pm. There ended up being four different performers, the last one impromptu to pass the time due to a delay in the return of the flights.
Live entertainment for those awaiting the veterans return from DC
Given the flights and celebration took place on an active and significant US military base, it was a bit of an ordeal, having to park remotely in town about a 10- or 15-minute school bus ride away from the hanger, clear security, and be bused to the event on the base and back.
A ticket was required for entry, which were available for free, but limited. According to Col. Matthew Muha, deputy commander of the 445th, “Nobody can seem to remember when Wright-Patt has been open to the general public”. Truly a unique and special event!
The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) were represented by Mike Gunn and Scott Freeman from the Cincinnati Chapter participated along with 4 Color Guard members from the Richard Montgomery Chapter (Dayton). Several SAR family members were also in attendance.
Cincinnati and Dayton SAR Chapter participants
Alan See of the Dayton Richard Montgomery Chapter of the SAR produced a video which is attached below:
Unfortunately, the flights arrived home about 1 ½ hours later than planned. Loading and unloading the planes clearly took a lot longer than expected.
It was seven hours between when our group from Cincinnati arrived in the remote parking lot at a shopping plaza in Fairborn and we left it. The CCSAR participants arrived back in Cincinnati in the wee hours of Monday Sept 22nd.
Scott Freeman awaiting these veteran heroes
Though SAR participation was not large in numbers, it was very large in presence, and we were a popular attraction. We were the largest and only highly visible uniformed group there besides active military. The Cincinnati Chapter members were the only attendees who brought in full sized flags.
Scott Freeman and Mike Gunn display their caricature drawing
We made the best of the long event and long wait, engaging dozens of people including generals, colonels, and other military personnel, many veterans, other organizations, and other attendees. We handed out many wooden challenge coins and received some gifts in return.
Full crowd of well wishers welcome our veterans home
Over the course of the event, we entertained easily over a hundred requests for photos to be taken either of us or with us. That went on all evening, and usually if one person took a photo, several others would jump at the opportunity to also do so.
SAR Color Guard welcoming veterans
It was a unique experience to stand in the opened doorway of the huge hanger and watch the honor flights land and unload outside before coming inside for the welcome home.
Our participation was significant enough to be acknowledged on stage at the end of the event, even though we had no official role.
Military Honor Guard greets veteran heroes
In summary, this was not for everyone, but those that attended enjoyed a unique and memorable experience.
Below is a good news story about the departure of the flights in the morning. If we locate a “return” video, please share and we will update this blog post on our website.
