I landed in Portland and as I came out of security, both sides of the hallway were lined with with men and women holding American flags, posters, and placards. As I walked through I asked one of them what was going on. And he replied, "An Honor Flight."
The first part of the lineup was a Vet's Harley rider's group with their members lining about 15 on each side with their color guard. Then came other VFW members, some civilians, boy scouts, etc.
I got about halfway to the rental cars, then I turned around and went back. I didn't have anywhere to be until 5 p.m., so I decided to check it out. I'm a sucker for anything military.
So I asked again what was going on. Fifty or sixty WWII veterans were on an "Honor Flight" and returning from Washington, D.C. Here's what I found out:
"Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill."
And they don't charge the veterans a dime. How cool is that?
So I decided to hang around and welcome the heroes home. The flight was delayed for an hour, but that gave me lots of time to chat people up. I met some really great guys from the Tualatin VFW Post 3452 (who tried very enthusiastically to get me to join them for breakfast afterwards at the hall, but I declined!). They were mostly Vietnam vets. And when they asked what I was doing in Portland, they were terribly impressed to meet a goat judge. Well, who wouldn't be?
And then, here they came -- all the World War II veterans:
and everyone clapped and cheered and waved flags and I cried (just little). Look at them. Aren't they awesome? God bless America!
