Thank you for being “the Wind Beneath Our Wings.”

As he came down the Walk of Honor into the Courtyard Hotel after his Honor Flight last Tuesday, April 19, the Vietnam veteran paused midway, overcome with emotion and tears. Then he looked up, surveyed the crowd cheering to welcome him home, and in a voice full of joy, said, “Thank you for remembering!”

 

On the flight last Tuesday where veterans of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War – three generations, bound by selflessness and service, sharing stories across the decades of what it was like to leave home, go to a faraway land and take on the burden to save our liberty and preserve our freedom. Early morning apprehension turned to excitement. Fear of the unknown turned to comfort that one finds among friends. The long day turned into one they wished would last forever. Is there ever enough time to thank them, celebrate them and, yes, remember them? We hear that this one day – this 22 hours spent with Honor Flight – changes lives, banishes nightmares and replaces bad memories with good. That is our hope, our prayer, our mission.

 

Central Missouri has made these miracles possible. In this, our eighth year in the air, we find that the generosity of mid-Missouri knows no bounds. To the little second grader who donated his $.25 of tooth fairy money to the generous gifts from business and foundations – it all keeps us flying. We have nearly 600 veterans waiting for their Honor Flight experience. So we are working as hard as we can to ensure they receive their day of celebration and gratitude.

 

Thank you for being “the Wind Beneath Our Wings.”