Honor Flight Arizona had the privilege of opening 2024 by escorting a total of 146 Veterans, along with 92 Guardians, on five Spring journeys to Washington, D.C. Representing five branches of the armed forces, nine of the Veterans served in more than one branch.
Veterans of the Vietnam War era comprised a majority of our Veterans (75%), with nine of the Veterans having served during two wars (Vietnam and Korea). We also had the extreme honor of hosting 95-year-old Veteran Donald Messenger who served during three wars (World War II, Korea, and Vietnam) in both the Army and the Air Force. Additionally, 18 of the Guardians were veterans of military service in the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
During the Fall 2024 season, 119 Veterans and 77 Guardians saw the memorials in Washington, D.C. over the course of four trips. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard Veterans were represented, and four of the Veterans served in more than one branch.
Once again, Vietnam War era veterans made up a majority of our passengers at 79%. We had the privilege of hosting another Veteran of three eras (WWII, Korea, and Vietnam). Of our Guardians, 29 of them were Veterans of five branches of the military.
Our Fall 2024 highlights were our two WWII Veterans: 100-year-old Robert Brutinel, who was a flamethrower operator on Iwo Jima and received a Silver Star (the third-highest military combat decoration awarded) and a Purple Heart, and 102-year-old Oliver Cole, who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He flew B-17s in WWII, B-36s in the 50s, and B-52s during the Vietnam War.
To all our outstanding Veterans and their Guardians, thank you for your service and sacrifice!
The photo albums for this season’s trips can be viewed on our SmugMug account.
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Posted: November 23, 2024 by Honor Flight Arizona
The 2024 Season in Retrospective
Honor Flight Arizona had the privilege of opening 2024 by escorting a total of 146 Veterans, along with 92 Guardians, on five Spring journeys to Washington, D.C. Representing five branches of the armed forces, nine of the Veterans served in more than one branch.
Veterans of the Vietnam War era comprised a majority of our Veterans (75%), with nine of the Veterans having served during two wars (Vietnam and Korea). We also had the extreme honor of hosting 95-year-old Veteran Donald Messenger who served during three wars (World War II, Korea, and Vietnam) in both the Army and the Air Force. Additionally, 18 of the Guardians were veterans of military service in the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
During the Fall 2024 season, 119 Veterans and 77 Guardians saw the memorials in Washington, D.C. over the course of four trips. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard Veterans were represented, and four of the Veterans served in more than one branch.
Once again, Vietnam War era veterans made up a majority of our passengers at 79%. We had the privilege of hosting another Veteran of three eras (WWII, Korea, and Vietnam). Of our Guardians, 29 of them were Veterans of five branches of the military.
Our Fall 2024 highlights were our two WWII Veterans: 100-year-old Robert Brutinel, who was a flamethrower operator on Iwo Jima and received a Silver Star (the third-highest military combat decoration awarded) and a Purple Heart, and 102-year-old Oliver Cole, who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He flew B-17s in WWII, B-36s in the 50s, and B-52s during the Vietnam War.
To all our outstanding Veterans and their Guardians, thank you for your service and sacrifice!
The photo albums for this season’s trips can be viewed on our SmugMug account.
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