November 1, 2022
An Honor Flight Story
By Stephen Garrington LTC, US Army (Ret.)
Director, Honor Flight of the Quad Cities
Director, Disaster Services, Salvation, Quad Cities
Many who live in and around the Quad Cities know that the Honor Flight has been around since 2008. Since that first flight, we have taken over 5,000 veterans to Washington, DC to see the monuments created to honor them and the men and women who did not come back.
We who volunteer, and there is no paid staff everyone involved is a volunteer, are often thanked by the Veterans for putting together a flight. And although it takes many, many volunteers, hundreds of phone calls, and thousands of hours of work, we always respond, “Buddy, you are worth it.”
Veteran on plane receiving letters
We try hard to be ready for any problem that may arise on the flight. We take along an extra oxygen concentrator, extra “fits all” clothing, medical bags, and even extra wheelchairs. But the one thing we cannot control is the weather.
Which brings us to our story. It was early spring and not yet real warm. Most of the 99 Veterans and 65 Guardians were wearing sweatshirts under their gold and blue t-shirts. The light jackets were snapped tight as we stepped off the plane.
The 35% chance of rain had turned into sudden downpours. For the rest of the day the cold spring rain slipped back and forth between constant drizzle to cats and dogs. The bus drivers gave us garbage bags they carried to cover the legs of the wheelchair Vets. Still the Veterans took it in stride and carried on like troopers.
The next day I got a call from a daughter of one of our Veterans. She had gone to the QC International Airport for the “welcome home” celebration and was going to drive him home. Our conversation went something like this:
“I would like to tell you what happened on our way home.”
“OK go ahead”
“I got my dad into the car, and as we left the airport I said ‘Well Dad, how did it go?’ “
He almost yelled, “How did it go?” His voice got higher. “How did it go? Look at me.” He took a deep breath. “I am soaked to the skin. I am chilled to the bone. Every piece of my clothing is wringing wet. My shoes and socks are drenched…” He stopped and then smiled and softly said, “How did it go?… It was the best damn day of my life.”
That is why we do what we do. That is why so many groups and organizations support Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. That is why people go to honorflightqc.org and fill out applications to be Guardians.
To all who support us and the Veterans we serve, let us say thank you for helping to give a Veteran the “best damn day of their life.”
