A lot of memories

Nikki Sisson

Veterans explore the National Museum of the United States Army during the Veteran Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. on Aug. 27.

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Nikki Sisson

Veterans explore the National Museum of the Marine Corps during the Veteran Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. on Aug. 27.

Meet Craig Kopstain, U.S. Navy (ret.)

Nikki Sisson

Craig Kopstain served 28 years in the United States Navy and fought in Desert Storm as a captain. He worked with the NIS, a precursor organization to the NCIS, and even wrote parts of the Atlantic maritime strategy and the start of the INS treaties. 

He believes strongly in the values of the modern military, as he helped to recruit female soldiers before women were completely accepted into the armed services. 

“All I can say is it’s open season on being great,” he says. “Anyone can join – not just the Navy but the other branches as well. They can be astronauts. They can be medical doctors. They can be combat people. They can be almost anything you can think of.”

Kopstain believes the Honor Flight is an amazing way for veterans to see the impact they’ve had and feel appreciated.

 “A lot of these veterans didn’t know what they were fighting for when they went into the military, but they do when they finish this,” says Kopstain. 

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Our final full day in the district starts at around 8:30 a.m. after breakfast as we load the buses. We only have two destinations planned, allowing for plenty of time at each stop as well as lunch and dinner.

Our first stop is the National Museum of the Marine Corps. This museum captures the history of the Marine Corps in chronological order. We also get to watch a short film on the training and jobs of a Marine and general combat.

“Seeing that brought back a lot of memories,” says Navy veteran Craig Kopstain after watching the movie. 

We then eat lunch at the museum and wandered around for a few hours; I personally learn a lot from there and have a really good time. I not only learn from the museum, but from the people I talk to there and the stories I get to hear.

The National Museum of the United States Army us a 30 minute drive away. This is a new museum established in 2020. 

“This place is about the courage of the American soldier,” says the president of the museum, General Schmidt.

We also eat dinner at the museum and celebrat our last night in the district. The Cadets are recognized for their work and training. They all receive the Challenger Coin.

Director Aaron Stain, Navy veteran Craig Kopstain and Stengel also speak and thank the veterans and volunteers of the trip. The veterans then receive a surprise mail delivery from their loved ones, as they would have when they served. It is an emotional, meaningful end to a trip that has felt emotional and meaningful from its very first moment.

We then load the buses back up and head back to the hotel one last time. Once we return, everyone gathers in the bar area to talk, spends some time together and enjoys their last night.