TESTIMONIALS

Letters from Honor Flight Kern County Veterans

From a Vietnam War Veteran:

Words are inadequate to describe the raw emotions I felt nearly every waking moment while participating in the 26th Kern County Honor Flight this past weekend.  Traveling to Washington DC with 49 other veterans of the Vietnam War accompanied by the fine men and women of your Guardian Corps was an incredible experience and one I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Every detail was flawlessly executed by your wonderful team.  On arrival, we were greeted by dual streams of water shot over our plane by airport emergency crews and at the arrival gate by at least a hundred applauding patriots chanting their support with cries of USA, USA!  A small child thanked me with a smile and tiny handshake as I passed through the cheering crowd.  It was just the start of three days of healing magic.

The placing of our Honor Flight Memorial Wreath at the Vietnam Wall, being escorted to and from historical sites with lights and sirens wailing by DC Park Police, the poignant foot drag salute by Soldiers of the Old Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery, our visit to the US Capital and the offices of House Majority Leader Congressman Kevin McCarthy guided by his young enthusiastic staff, the excellent accommodations and delicious meals, the very moving tribute to participating veterans during our final dinner, including the presentation of a commemorative medal to all, and finally, the tumultuous greeting by hundreds of flag-waving supporters in the gym of Liberty High School gave me the Welcome Home I did not receive at the conclusion of my service in August of 1970.

Thank you.  Semper Fidelis.

From a World War ll Veteran:

Thank you for all you do for us Honor Flight guys. It’s MUCH appreciated! I can’t remember a trip that impressive, particularly when I was selected to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier… what an honor! Riding the bus in DC with a police escort, appreciating the applause of the people in the airport, riding home to Ventura in a stretch limo! I won’t forget all the wonderful things that happened to me during that DC trip! It was a super trip, one that I won’t forget for a long time!

You put it all together, got everything organized and it was GREAT! Thank you again!

From a World War ll Veteran:

I am a World War II disabled veteran living at the vets home in Ventura. I received your letter about the gathering and luncheon Saturday June 25th, However I was too sick at the time to get out of my room so I did not attend. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for flying me to the greatest trip of my life to Washington D.C. When I came back I thought after the way I was treated that I had personally won the war, the I scratched my head and said “Wait a minute”, I remember I had buddies so I wasn’t the only one that did it but for the entire trip the way they were treating me with a motorcycle escort and a personal guardian, I thought I was the only one that did it, but now I am back to my senses, I had help but I thank you for the honor from the bottom of my heart. I saw all the memorials including where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry. The entire trip was a thrill of a lifetime. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 What can you do to help?

Help us sign up Veterans, Guardians & Volunteers. We are actively seeking Veterans, Guardians and Volunteers for Honor Flight Kern County. Go to our Applications page to download applications. Feel free to contact us for information.

Your donations help us send our Veterans at no cost to them and they are tax deductible.

You or your company can be a sponsor to send our Veterans on their Honor Flight. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Sign up here. As always, feel free to contact us for more information.

Help send our Veterans off and greet them when they return. Their hero’s send off and greeting is well deserved. These events are a moving experience for all who attend. Come out and take part!

We could not accomplish this mission without your help. Thank you for you support!