The sun illuminates the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as Army Veteran, Benjamin Jankowski recalls his time serving in the Vietnam War. Tears fall from his eyes as he relives the horrors he faced. People around the wall stop what they’re doing to listen to the Veteran. Children, families, teenagers and more gather to show him their thanks for his service. This is the Honor Flight.
The Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois is an organization in Illinois that hosts an annual Honor Flight trip where local Veterans from the McHenry area are given opportunities to see memorials, honor fallen soldiers and feel the gratitude our country has to offer them in our national capital.
The organization is run through donations and fundraising; therefore all Veterans who take this trip go for free.
While the Honor Flight program has been around for a while, the VNC started only 14 years ago.
“I’ve been here since the beginning,” says Honor Flight Leader, Aaron Stain. “I’ve helped to create this organization since around 2010.”
Stain began this program to bring his community closer and show respect for our nation’s Veterans. It began with bringing the community together in the bank he worked for, and slowly expanded into the Washington D.C trip we have now.
Going on this trip for 14 years could be viewed as repetitive, but Stain loves every minute of it every time.
“Even though I’m a Veteran myself, I don’t look at it that way,” Stain says. “I look at it more like being able to give back to people and watching them really appreciate it, that is why I do it.”
The veterans do appreciate it. They get to see monuments, memorials and many more places that are made to represent all of their service. Each day spent remembering is jam packed with many sites for these Veterans to see and experience.
Many Veterans are in awe of the sights. Some recall the time they served, and others simply take in the beauty of D.C.
“I’m seeing a lot of things I’ve never seen before,” says Navy veteran Monica Davis, “things you only hear about in T.V…It makes my common service a little more purposeful.”
Once off the plane, veterans saw the U.S Capitol, the US Navy Memorial Plaza, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and the United States Air Force Memorial on Thursday, Aug 22.
On the second day of the trip, female veterans were rewarded for their service during lunch at the Military Women’s Memorial. These women felt beyond honored and grateful.
“It is an honor,” says Air Force veteran Nichole Eicenrich, “to be amongst all of these incredible women.”
“To see all of the pictures and history of the women veterans,” said Marine Corps veteran Joanne Thomas, “there’s no words.”
But the women aren’t the only veterans grateful to be on the trip. Throughout the four days spent in D.C. Veterans expressed their gratitude to be able to go on this trip.
“The trip has been extremely well planned,” said Navy veteran Douglas Howe, “and has staff to take care of everything.”
Even though the Veterans were thankful for the trip, seeing the museums and memorials brought up many emotions and memories for these soldiers.
“Takes me way back,” Howe says, “what little I knew when I went in.”
With many Veterans having served Vietnam, visiting the Vietnam Wall was a hard day for all.
“Looking at this wall, seeing all the brothers that passed away,” says Benjamin Jankowski, “if I can’t find my friend here, I know I’ll never find him. I know that I left him back there in Vietnam.”
Few eyes were left dry as these heroes told stories of their sacrifice for our country. Many honored the men who fought beside them, who didn’t come home with them.
“These medals I wear, I earned them but I actually don’t consider them mine,” Jankowski said. “That’s theirs [the men on the wall] … these are the ones that earn all the metals.”
Before the wall, Veterans visited The National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery and the Military Women’s Memorial. Afterwards, they viewed the WWII Memorial and the Iwo Jima Monument.
Through the sadness, Veterans still had a grand time on the trip. Many laughed, talked and bonded with other Veterans either in their group, or at their dinner table. Many found friends with similar experiences to connect with.
Regardless of branch, tours or time they served, these Veterans all had one thing in common: serving their country. They fought when they were needed and went above and beyond when no one asked them to.
They fought day and night for our country’s freedom. The honor flight is to honor these remarkable men and women once more.
“I hope all of you remember what country you’re in,” Jankowksi states, “and appreciate this country.”