May 1, 2023
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
Honoring Memorial Day and the Fallen Heroes
By Eloise Graham
Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor and remember those that gave all for our country; a time to reflect on the significance of sacrifice, the loss of comrades. An Honor Flight is also a time to reflect, to remember many bittersweet moments of friendship and comradery.
This past April, the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities took a group of veterans accompanied by their guardians to Washington D. C. Here is a letter of thanks from one of the veterans.
Dear Honor Flight Directors, Guardians, Volunteers, Donors and Supporters,
Some thoughts and reflections on yesterdays trip to our nations Capitol.
Just absolutely unforgettable and remarkable are the best descriptions I can give to the coordinated effort of our leaders and guardians to make the day’s activities flow so smoothly. This was especially important for those vets with disabilities. I remember Max, our disabled 100 year old WWII B17 crewman vet, seemingly pensive at the orientation meeting but on this day relaxed and smiling ear to ear.
Oh those Guardians, what a group of caring people engaged in a team effort to inform, aid and comfort us. I met so many Guardians; all their energy focused on us vets. Thanks to my tour bus seating partner and a Guardian, who honored me with her Honor Flight cap and great conversation throughout. I made several friends and best of all many thanks to my Guardian, who provided every assistance one could ever need: he’s great. I suspect he instigated a sing-a-long on the return trip honoring me on my 79th (04/04/44) birthday. Another unforgettable highlight of my day!
I had to do some prying and learned of the selfless monetary donations by the Guardians and Hy-Vee. I’m certain there are many other donors. Kudos to all who do so without seeking notoriety or reward.
So wonderful and loving were the letters and cards from my family, who I kept in the dark for so long about my military experience. Thanks to the children from Virginia and the Quad Cities for their touching drawings and letters. Thanks also to Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion Riders, the American Legion, Prince William County and American Legion Post 72, Fauquier County.
I have many fond memories of my long and blessed life and this special occasion ranks tops among them just behind the 40 years shared with my wife and the births of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. With tears in my eyes, thank you thank you Honor Flight of the Quad Cities!!! Its been 58 years this past March since leaving a hazardous Cameron Bay, South Vietnam and YES “Welcome Home Frank”, I’ll never forget!
God Bless Everyone!
Sincerely,
Frank Sebok, USN
Steve Garrington, LTC, USArmy (Ret) is the Director of Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. He said the next flight is scheduled for September 12, 2023. There are still openings for more vets to sign up. For more information, visit the website at honorflightqc.org, or you may email info@honorflightqc.org or call (563) 388-3592.
