Photo Information

Petty Officer Third Class retired Michael Keenan greets Cpl. retired Jim Caines at the opening breakfast for Honor Flight Savannah aboard U.S. Army Garrison Hunter Army Airfield Fort Stewart, Savannah, GA, Oct. 14. Keenan served as a journalist in the Navy from 1966-1976 and Caines served as an infantryman in the Marine Corps from 1966-1968. Honor Flight Savannah brings together veterans from World War II, Vietnam and Korea for a trip to visit their war memorials at the National Mall in Washington D.C.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips

MCAS Beaufort supports Honor Flight Savannah

21 Oct 2016 | Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Marines   and   sailors   from   Marine   Corps   Air   Station   Beaufort   participated   in   Honor   Flight   Savannah,  at  U.S.  Army  Garrison,  Hunter  Army  Airfield, Ga., Oct. 14. 

The Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Company  23,  Marine  Aircraft  Group  31,  joined  service  members  from  other  branches  to  salute  the past wars veterans as they boarded the buses to travel to Washington D.C

“I’ve never had the opportunity to do  this  before,”  said  Petty  Officer  Second   Class   Silva   Raul,   leading   petty  officer  with  CLC-23.  “It’s  a  humbling  experience  for  us  as  we  give  them  honors  and  I  think  it’s  a  healing  moment  for  them.  This  is  something   I’ve   always   wanted   to   experience.”

Honor  Flight  Savannah  is  a  volunteer   and   donation   based   organization  that  takes  World  War  II,  Korean   and   Vietnam   War   veterans  to  visit  their  war  memorials  in  Washington  D.C.  When  the  flight  began  in  2005  veterans  traveled  to  D.C.  by  plane,  but  now  due  to  the  Honor  Flight’s  growth,  logistically  it is easier for them to travel by bus.

The group of 50 veterans from all of  the  country  traveled  by  bus  to  Washington  D.C.  For  the  next  two  days  they  visited  the  war  memorials  at  the  national  mall.  They  also  visited  museums  and  got  a  private  tour  at  the  Tomb  of  the  Unknown  Soldier.

The  first  ever  Honor  Flight  Savannah   departed   Savannah   with   only  six  veterans  in  2008,  three  of  which were from Beaufort. Now the flight  has  grown,  accommodating  nearly 400 veterans each year, with the waiting list growing.

“Today we have 50 veterans making  the  trip  to  Washington  D.C.,”  said  Owen  Hand,  a  board  member  of  Honor  Flight  Savannah.  “These  veterans fly from all over the country to participate in this. The great part  is  that  when  they  arrive  here  they   don’t   pay   for   anything; not   even for a cup of coffee.”

To  keep  these  trips  free  for  the  veterans   Honor   Flight   Savannah   depends  solely  on  the  donations  of  private  donors,  businesses  and  corporate   sponsors.   Throughout   the   year they have various benefit dinners and fundraisers .

“We  take  pride  in  offering  this  service  free  of  cost  to  the  veterans  who  gave  so  much,”  said  Hand.  “Each  day  over  a  thousand  WWII  vets  are  dying;  Because  of  this  we  prioritize  the  waiting  list  based  on  age  or  if  a  veteran  has  a  terminal  illness,  regardless  of  what  war  or  conflict they fought in.”

For   the   Marines   from   MCAS   Beaufort  this  was  an  opportunity  to  see  and  interact  with  a  different  generation  of  service  members;  to  honor  the  sacrifice  of  their  predecessors.  The  generation  of  WWII,  Korean  and  Vietnam  War  era  veterans is rapidly passing and the   amount  of  time  left  to  thank  them  is waning.  

“This  is  the  first  time  I’ve  ever  gotten  to  go  on  one  of  these  hon-or   flights,”   said   Cpl.   retired   Jim   Caines,   an   infantry   Marine   who   served  from  1966-1968.  “It’s  good  to  be  able  to  go  and  see  the  memorials,  but  it’s  even  better  to  be  able  to  be  here  with  other  veterans  and  be able to swap stories; one last hoo-rah.”



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