To the editor:
I take offense at the following comment in the July 29 newspaper “Honor veterans of war on terror”: “The non-profit Honor Flight Network has ‘cobbled’ together money and planes to fly tens of thousands of veterans to Washington.”
I was privileged to fly to Washington on Sept. 3, 2016. There is no doubt in my mind, this is one of the BEST volunteer organizations ever! Every veteran has a personal guardian, and is treated like a HERO. Everything is absolutely free to the vet. They provide wheelchairs for every veteran, if needed or not. There is plenty to eat and drink.
They provide door-to-door transportation. We had a meet and greet Friday evening at the Plainfield High School to get information and items needed for the trip and a free box lunch.
Saturday morning at 4:30 a.m., my guardian picked me up at home for the trip to Plainfield High School for breakfast and a bus ride to the airport. We show the name tag they provided and bypass all security and board a chartered plane for the flight to D.C. There was a welcome party every where we stopped.
We visited the tomb of the unknown soldier and the changing of the guard, World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and various other important places.
We had mail call on the plane flying back to Indy, and every veteran got many pieces of mail. After a bus ride to Plainfield High School, we were escorted down a long hallway, filled with many flags and well wishers, young and old. After a welcome home ceremony we met with family and friends, then returned home about 11:30 p.m.
I highly encourage every eligible veteran to go. They have all kinds of health care available at all times.
If you served in the military during these dates, you are welcome: World War II Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1946; Korea, June 25, 1950 to July 23, 1953; Vietnam, Feb. 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975.
To learn more, email [email protected]; call 317-559-1600; or visit www.indyhonorflight.org.
Now, you may call this cobbled if you want, it’s a free country, thanks to veterans, but you will be totally wrong. I have never before seen such dedicated volunteers. I could go on and on but I think you know what I think of Indy Honor Flight.
Norman Fahl,
Korean War veteran,
Franklin
