Saturday August 3, 2024:
American Airpower Museum and Honor Flight Long Island will co-host a patriotic reunion of 41 Vietnam War and five Korean War veterans. On May 4, 2024, Honor Flight escorted this band of brothers on an early a.m. flight to Washington, D.C. Veterans and their Guardians visited WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a “Changing of the Guard,” plus took a Washington, D.C. bus tour. They returned to MacArthur that evening for a raucous welcome home by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!
According to Bill Jones, HFLI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, “This special flight included 41 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service. They were accompanied on this flight by five elder comrades, veterans of the Korean War. What this flight really represented was a ‘Big Hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible,” he said. Jones noted that newly elected Southampton Supervisor Maria Moore served on this flight as a Guardian. “We’re proud she was on board. The Town has supported HFLI since its beginning, getting us off the ground and ensuring our success. HFLI will be forever grateful for Southampton’s support,” Jones said. He added that May 4th was historic for HFLI, since it marked the nonprofit’s over 2,000 veterans flown milestone since the group started in 2007. Our veterans received a special honor during their May 4th visit to D.C. Despite the pouring rain, HFLI Guardian Eric Wieboldt of Merrick, belted out his original song, “Welcome Home, My Brother,” which brought tears to veterans and onlookers alike. Eric said he wrote his song “because the Vietnam veterans never received a proper welcome home. My song is an attempt to right that wrong,” he added. Eric will perform his song as a special tribute during our August 3rd reunion.
On August 3, 2024, American Airpower Museum opens at 10:30 a.m. and the reunion is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735 – (631) 293-6398, www.americanairpowermuseum.org. The public is encouraged to attend, applaud and cheer our veterans during a “Ceremony of Honors,” as each is presented with a personalized Tribute Journal full of photographs taken during their historic day in Washington, D.C. Members of the public arriving for the event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. may attend FREE OF CHARGE! After 12:00 p.m., regular museum admission is free for members, $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, $10 for children ages 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and under.
To learn more about the Honor flight mission click the Link below!:
