Honor Flights
Korean War Memorial
Wapsie Post 473 Legionnaire Receives Honor Flight
On Tuesday, April 25th, Vietnam Veteran Curtis Thornhill toured military memorials in Washington, D.C. as part of Eastern Iowa Honor Flight # 46. Traveling with Curtis was Bill Goodman, who volunteered to serve as his Guardian. Since America felt it was important to build memorials to the service and the ultimate sacrifice of her veterans, the Honor Flight Network believes it's equally important that Veterans actually get to visit and experience these memorials. The next Honor Flight out of Cedar Rapids is scheduled for May 24th.
World War II Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam Wall
Vietnam Wall
Arlington National Cemetary
Arlington National Cemetary
Welcome Home Reception
Maria Clark
Positively OJ Facebook Group
On November 2nd, Veterans traveled to Washington D.C on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
One of the Veterans of the Honor Flight was of the Oxford Junction Wapsie Legion Post 473 Veteran Tom Shannon. His son, Doug Shannon, traveled with him as his Honor Flight guardian.
The Veterans of the Honor Flight had a busy itinerary of visiting historical sites and Memorials during their visit to Washington D.C.
The memorials visited were: WW2 War Memorial, FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall Memorial, Women's Memorial, Airforce Memorial, and the Marine Corps War Memorial.
The Veterans also witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington Cemetery.
Upon returning to Iowa, the Veterans were greeted by a Welcome Home reception.
Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to sending local Veterans to Washington D.C. to visit historical sites and war memorials.
On Tuesday, September 20th, 88 Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. One of these Veterans was Wapsie Post 473 Legionnaire Fred Rehmke (pictured left) along with his Guardian Jerry Atcheson of Johnston, Iowa. Welcome Home, Fred!!!
The New Horizon Band of Cedar Rapids was on hand at the “Welcome Home” reception playing patriotic music, along with many classic, World War II era tunes. They are always a crowd favorite. Thank you band members for honoring our Veterans!
Honor Flights - A Time to Remember
By Bill Goodman - Service Officer. Wapsie Post 473
On Sunday, August 28th, three Wapsie Post 473 Legionnaires attended an Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Orientation in Cedar Rapids. Pictured (l to r) are Fred Rehmke, Tom Shannon and Curtis Thornhill. Fred will travel on the September 20th flight, while Tom and Curtis will both be on the October 18th flight.
The Honor Flight Network is a national network of independent Hubs working together to honor our nation's Veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to the memorials in Washington, D.C., a trip many of our Veterans may not otherwise be able to take. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives Veterans the chance to share this momentous trip with other Veterans, to remember friends and comrades lost, and to share stories and experiences with each other.
The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse with a mission of honoring our nation’s Veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. While originally focused on honoring our nation’s World War II Veterans, the Honor Flight Network also honors those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and gives priority for those with terminal illness. Since its formation in 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 245,000 Veterans to Washington D.C. Today, the Honor Flight Network is currently comprised of over 128 hubs throughout the country dedicated to carrying out the Honor Flight mission. The Network, as a whole, serves over 22,000 Veterans each year.
Locally, there are Honor Flight Hubs in Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, Dubuque and Waterloo. While there have been a few of our area Veterans utilize the Quad Cities hub, most apply thru the Cedar Rapids (Eastern Iowa Honor Flight) hub.
There are three members of Wapsie Post 473 who are going on the two remaining 2022 flights out of Cedar Rapids. Fred Rehmke will be on the September 20th flight, and Tom Shannon and Curtis Thornhill are both going on the October 18th flight.
When these Veterans return to the Eastern Iowa Airport on the day of their flight, the public is invited to be there to welcome them home. The flights return in the evening and the exact time of arrival may vary due to circumstances such as weather conditions. Local radio and TV stations provide updates on arrival times. For those who wish to attend the "welcome home", parking at the airport is free.
There is a waiting list, so all Veterans who wish to go on an Honor Flight are encouraged to apply now. If you need help with submitting an application or need more information, please call Bill Goodman at (319) 821-1197 or send email to wggoodman@yahoo.com.