[Editor’s note: This is a collection of thoughts, impressions and photographs submitted by the writer with additional information provided by Paul Howell, Director Honor Flight Upstate SC.]
There are no words to properly convey the experience of witnessing the launch and return of an “Honor Flight!” There is no easy way to tell the story of those who were here today, many books have already been written about “The Greatest Generation.” Rather than try to write their names or attempt to capture their words, thoughts, stories or feelings; the camera gave them a forum to express themselves. It is in their eyes mostly, but when you get closer, it becomes almost a physically palpable feeling, the unconditional, unquenchable love for their Country and their fellow ‘Brothers-in-Arms.’
The bond that immediately flowed between these men and women surged around them and fed the already high energy level in the room. People stopped, stood and appreciatively watched as men from every walk of life were immediately transported across space and time to a place some would call hell. Yet here they were more than 60 years later gathered in a modern glass and steel airport. To the casual observer these were strangers gathered in an airport for a flight to anywhere but, to each other, they were brothers and sisters who defeated the odds and came home.
Honor Flight Upstate SC was in pre-launch mode. They were surrounded by 100’s of people who had answered the call to serve those who had served. Active US military in uniforms of all the Services watched in amazement, seeing these living legends in the flesh. The staff graciously welcomed each Honoree, checking to ensure they were well-prepared for today’s mission. Shirts, hats, badges, bags and escorts were given to each, their requirements came first and foremost today – not like those days gone when they were packed into troop ships and shipped across the waves to fight or die in places like Omaha Beach, North Africa, Iwo Jima or Italy. Their faces, aged and worn now, were young and fresh then, but when they saw and spoke to each other today you could almost see the instant regression of time. Glistening eyes, gnarled hands, mottled skin and steely gray hair was very much the fashion this morning, and they wore it well. All those years ago, many of them not yet age 20 went to war. They were sent to fight the greatest threat to humanity in their young lives. Fresh faced and dressed like what the ‘Baby Boomers’ would come to call GI Joe, boys and girls went into the unknown for their Country. Today, however, they hugged, shook hands and looked about with an unfathomable humility. Many of them seemed to not comprehend what all the fuss was about. It was and is and will be about them. Sadly, many of their number did not survive to see this day. Their numbers are dwindling rapidly with each passing day. Time has never been shorter for us to say thank you to our WWII veterans.
Fast forward to early evening – there has been a population explosion in the lobby, stairwells, hallways and common areas at the airport. Uniforms of every kind abounded; Military, Boy Scouts, ROTC, Law Enforcement and TSA blues. You could not turn any direction without seeing red, white and blue: Flags, banners, signs, face paint, patches and even more Stars and Stripes. VFW and VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion, wives, daughters, sons and fathers, executives and laborers, citizens and people of every kind united in one place with a singleness of mind, to cheer, to wave, to watch, to cry and most of all to celebrate and Honor these great men and women.
The walkway was cordoned with Law Enforcement officers and ROTC personnel rendering magnificent hand-salutes as the Heroes debarked from the plane. The staff guided them to an elevated perch above the waiting crowd who immediately broke into cheers, shouts, flag waving and generally, forcefully sending their whole-hearted gratitude to these men and women. It was an exceptional moment in time, one that will be remembered by the cheered and the cheerers for as long as they live.
While there were countless stories in the crowd of more than 500 that evening, one was of particular note and is related here. Bill Harpst of Ashtabula, Ohio, drove more than 600 miles to surprise his father Cliff who was on the flight, who had no idea that his son was going to be there. This photographer had trouble capturing the moment with his camera as his eyes were flooded with tears of immense gratitude to see a Hero father hug his son when he came home. It reminded him that no man ever stands as tall as when he hugs his child.
It is a certainty that there were innumerable stories to be heard that evening from both Heroes and their well-wishers. Conversations about “60 plus year marriages, they just got back from Afghanistan, I can’t wait to see him,” and “there are four generations right here” abounded, you just could not listen to all of them at once. It was a genealogist or history buff’s paradise.
Writing this now has been a challenge, struggling mightily to share the depth of gratitude we owe these men and women. How to convey the importance of what was done then, as well as today? How to show the Heroes that the ‘Art of Remembering’ will NOT be Lost and WE WILL NOT FORGET? What they did deserves all the words we can muster forever.
Bearing that in mind one organization has stepped forward and center stage to proclaim loudly that Heroes are among us who truly are, “THE GREATEST Generation!”
On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, a group of 78 WWII veterans traveled to Washington, DC, for the eighth Honor Flight from Upstate South Carolina. The group, accompanied by sixty guardians, doctors, nurses and support staff, departed from the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport to visit the World War II, Vietnam War, Korean War, Air Force and Marine Corps Memorials in addition to viewing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Two WWII POWs were special honorees on this flight, and now over 600 WWII veterans have been recipients of this tribute in the Upstate.
Honor Flight Upstate SC is a non-profit, volunteer-based program that is dedicated to honoring our World War II veterans and the sacrifices they have made to keep our nation safe and our people free. We are affiliated with the national Honor Flight Network and serve veterans in the upstate and surrounding areas. We show our honor and support to these heroes by offering a program that flies our World War II veterans to Washington, DC, to see the memorial built in their honor, and to experience recognition for their service that literally saved the world.
With World War II veterans dying at a rate of over 1,000 per day, time is of the essence. We must have the support of those who will volunteer their time, guardians who are willing to pay their own way to travel with and assist the veterans, and donors who will help provide the funding for the veterans as these trips are completely free to our WWII veterans. Funding is needed to make the fall 2012 trip possible for another group of WWII veterans, and 100% of donations go directly to costs associated with taking a veteran on this experience of a lifetime. The cost for one veteran to make this special trip is $625.
Many ordinary volunteers from the Upstate have joined forces with numerous organizations and businesses to make these trips possible. In addition, the following elected officials are supporting the efforts to take every Upstate World War II veteran on an Honor Flight: Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Jim DeMint, U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, Greenville County Sheriff Steve Loftis, Pickens County Sheriff C. David Stone, Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper and Oconee Sheriff James Singleton. Multiple Upstate schools, JROTC Units, churches and individuals have held fundraisers to make this flight possible. Major corporate sponsors include, Lockheed Martin, Verizon Wireless, Chick-Fil-A, Spinx, Hucks Financial Services, Purple Tuna Tees, The Bank of Travelers Rest, Bonitz Flooring, and GrandSouth Bank.
For more information on how to get involved, make a donation or apply as a guardian or veteran, visit www.honorflightupstate
sc.com or call 864-869-VETS. Honor Flight volunteers are standing by to answer calls and take credit card donations by phone.
They are also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/honorflightupstatesc.
Honor Flight Upstate SC’s second annual golf tournament will be Monday, April 30, 2012. Those interested in playing in the tournament can register by calling 864.962.8155.