Honor Flight for veterans

[Keith Molden]

Last fall I had the honor of going on an honor flight to DC. It's now open to all x military from Viet Nam on back. We had a WWII vet on our flight. They flew us from Columbus Ohio and of course brought us back that night. It was truely the best trip to DC I have ever been on. We went to all the memorials, including a lot of them I never even knew were there. I would encourage anyone who is a vet. of that era to get on the list for a flight, you will not be dissapointed. If you are in a wheelchair or need help such as oxygen or assistance, it will be 100% provided. My guide had myself and another guy that was wheelchair bound and he pushed him everywhere we went including the length of the reflection pool. I had no idea the Navy memorial was downtown and it was probably the most impressive to me. After the flight we were greeted at the airport by a line of well over a hundred people welcoming us home (something we never got when we came home from Nam. A couple weeks later I received a really thick photo album with pictures from ther trip. Guys and Gals, if you haven't been on one, don't miss out anfd get scheduled on one as soon as you can, you won't regret going.

 

[Richard G.]

Last fall I had the honor of going on an honor flight to DC. It's now open to all x military from Viet Nam on back. We had a WWII vet on our flight. They flew us from Columbus Ohio and of course brought us back that night. It was truely the best trip to DC I have ever been on. We went to all the memorials, including a lot of them I never even knew were there. I would encourage anyone who is a vet. of that era to get on the list for a flight, you will not be dissapointed. If you are in a wheelchair or need help such as oxygen or assistance, it will be 100% provided. My guide had myself and another guy that was wheelchair bound and he pushed him everywhere we went including the length of the reflection pool. I had no idea the Navy memorial was downtown and it was probably the most impressive to me. After the flight we were greeted at the airport by a line of well over a hundred people welcoming us home (something we never got when we came home from Nam. A couple weeks later I received a really thick photo album with pictures from ther trip. Guys and Gals, if you haven't been on one, don't miss out anfd get scheduled on one as soon as you can, you won't regret goi

Thank you Sir for your service to our great country.

 

[Buckhammer]

Thank you Sir for your service to our great country.

X2!!!

 

[Jaden]

How did you sign up?

 

[Gary Reif]

Thank you for your service

 

[the tractior vet]

Last fall I had the honor of going on an honor flight to DC. It's now open to all x military from Viet Nam on back. We had a WWII vet on our flight. They flew us from Columbus Ohio and of course brought us back that night. It was truely the best trip to DC I have ever been on. We went to all the memorials, including a lot of them I never even knew were there. I would encourage anyone who is a vet. of that era to get on the list for a flight, you will not be dissapointed. If you are in a wheelchair or need help such as oxygen or assistance, it will be 100% provided. My guide had myself and another guy that was wheelchair bound and he pushed him everywhere we went including the length of the reflection pool. I had no idea the Navy memorial was downtown and it was probably the most impressive to me. After the flight we were greeted at the airport by a line of well over a hundred people welcoming us home (something we never got when we came home from Nam. A couple weeks later I received a really thick photo album with pictures from ther trip. Guys and Gals, if you haven't been on one, don't miss out anfd get scheduled on one as soon as you can, you won't regret going.

 

[the tractior vet]

Well i am a nam vet , But i do not prefer to go . As looking at the WALL will bring back momerys i prefer not to bring back . what i did and where we were is still not open for eyes to see . when i got PLUCKED out of the bush already two days after i was SUPPOSE to go home out of the org. group only three of use were still alive . My two closest buddy's took the offer of two jumps in grade and 12 K up ft for just three more months . ME i had my fill and the last i had any correspondence was one letter in Aug of 68 i left mid May 68 plucked out of the bush by the C O's personal chopper as my freedom bird left two days ago. It took me back to our base camp and i had enough time to shower shave change into clean uniform and start the out prepossess and used the C O's bird to do that as i had to go to Sigon . Ben wha then back to Dongtam getting back as the sun set and the last return mission party with the group . that night Charlie gave me a party starting at 1:30 and motored the base lasting till 4:am . i got two hours of sleep in the Como bunker a last breakfast with the guys at 6:30 and back on the C O's bird at 7:30 straightr to tong su nute( sp) with a civilian plane waiting on the tar mat with engines running waiting on me . The chopper set down fifty yards from the plane and air force personal helped me get my Stuff loaded . I gave my AK 47 to a E 5 air force sgt as i went up the steps . I was in a blind panic till i saw the coast line of NAM fade under the wings . We flew from Sigon to Ankridge Al, non stop From Ankridge to ft. dix non stop then help in a sequined area while they debriefed me and tried to get me to re up under pressure . . for two days . I managed to slip out and make a phone call to my one uncle as he had weight and with in three hours i was discharged and looking for a flight home . Every year from the end of January till mid May i still have night mares and flash back from the fighting during the TET offensive and the fire fights we were in . If you have never been in one you will never know how this digs on you or the loss of people . So no i have no desire to go and look as i have to live with what i did . Lets put it this way the younger guys i deer hunt with are always i Ah at the range i have taken deer . since i am the old GOAT of the group i get to SET and wait as they drive . I have never had a clean shot under 250 yards and out past 300 on a dead run . one shot . what is brown is down .

 

[Tony in SD]

Well i am a nam vet , But i do not prefer to go . As looking at the WALL will bring back momerys i prefer not to bring back . what i did and where we were is still not open for eyes to see . when i got PLUCKED out of the bush already two days after i was SUPPOSE to go home out of the org. group only three of use were still alive . My two closest buddy's took the offer of two jumps in grade and 12 K up ft for just three more months . ME i had my fill and the last i had any correspondence was one letter in Aug of 68 i left mid May 68 plucked out of the bush by the C O's personal chopper as my freedom bird left two days ago. It took me back to our base camp and i had enough time to shower shave change into clean uniform and start the out prepossess and used the C O's bird to do that as i had to go to Sigon . Ben wha then back to Dongtam getting back as the sun set and the last return mission party with the group . that night Charlie gave me a party starting at 1:30 and motored the base lasting till 4:am . i got two hours of sleep in the Como bunker a last breakfast with the guys at 6:30 and back on the C O's bird at 7:30 straightr to tong su nute( sp) with a civilian plane waiting on the tar mat with engines running waiting on me . The chopper set down fifty yards from the plane and air force personal helped me get my Stuff loaded . I gave my AK 47 to a E 5 air force sgt as i went up the steps . I was in a blind panic till i saw the coast line of NAM fade under the wings . We flew from Sigon to Ankridge Al, non stop From Ankridge to ft. dix non stop then help in a sequined area while they debriefed me and tried to get me to re up under pressure . . for two days . I managed to slip out and make a phone call to my one uncle as he had weight and with in three hours i was discharged and looking for a flight home . Every year from the end of January till mid May i still have night mares and flash back from the fighting during the TET offensive and the fire fights we were in . If you have never been in one you will never know how this digs on you or the loss of people . So no i have no desire to go and look as i have to live with what i did . Lets put it this way the younger guys i deer hunt with are always i Ah at the range i have taken deer . since i am the old GOAT of the group i get to SET and wait as they drive . I have never had a clean shot under 250 yards and out past 300 on a dead run . one shot . what is brown is down .

Thank you for sharing. Hope you get better some day. I have heard a very similar stories from my NAM vet cousin. That is all im going to say.

 

[Keith Molden]

How did you sign up?

The local VA service rep should be able to help you. They have a thing at our fairgrounds every Veterans day and I signed up there, there was an honor flight rep there. They are all volunteers and in Ohio they fly out of Columbus, Dayton and I believe Cinn.

 

[the tractior vet]

The local VA service rep should be able to help you. They have a thing at our fairgrounds every Veterans day and I signed up there, there was an honor flight rep there. They are all volunteers and in Ohio they fly out of Columbus, Dayton and I believe Cinn.

Welp , lets see here we have tried many time once tthru my uncle a two start SAC general who got his fingers slapped for tryen , two congressman who were told not to push it a Marine one star who was tryen to help viet nam vets who got told to but out three local People at the local vet office who are no longer there after looking into my past . I had a buddy and his wife stop in last evening in from Az. and he was telling me that he ran into and old nam vet who was over there in 69 and 70 doing the same WORK was did and he has the same issue his records as not available still sealed . 99.9 % of the people in this country have no idea what the gov does . can do and has done . And the warm bodys that do the deed are expendable just a number on a now computer that with the click of a mouse and gone . .

 

[jddrawbar]

Welp , lets see here we have tried many time once tthru my uncle a two start SAC general who got his fingers slapped for tryen , two congressman who were told not to push it a Marine one star who was tryen to help viet nam vets who got told to but out three local People at the local vet office who are no longer there after looking into my past . I had a buddy and his wife stop in last evening in from Az. and he was telling me that he ran into and old nam vet who was over there in 69 and 70 doing the same WORK was did and he has the same issue his records as not available still sealed . 99.9 % of the people in this country have no idea what the gov does . can do and has done . And the warm bodys that do the deed are expendable just a number on a now computer that with the click of a mouse and gone . .

So, you carried an AK, was getting ammo an issue? I don't understand the circumstances you refer to, BUT wish you all the best. for your service........

 

[the tractior vet]

So, you carried an AK, was getting ammo an issue? I don't understand the circumstances you refer to, BUT wish you all the best. for your service........

No resupply on ammo and mags was not and issue while out in the bush . Ya took what YA NEEDED ANYWAY YA COULD. Do i need to say more on how this was done . As it was NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART .

 

[Keith Molden]

How did you sign up?

There were some reps from Honor Flight at our local annual Veterans day get together at our county fairgrounds and I signed up there. Your local Veterans Service office should be able to put you in contact with them if it is being offered in your state. It is totally done by volunteers, including the airlines that do it

 

[jddrawbar]

No resupply on ammo and mags was not and issue while out in the bush . Ya took what YA NEEDED ANYWAY YA COULD. Do i need to say more on how this was done . As it was NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART .

Trust me brother, not for the faint of heart would not apply to me.......Army medic 1st Cav. '66-'68

 

[the tractior vet]

No resupply on ammo and mags was not and issue while out in the bush . Ya took what YA NEEDED ANYWAY YA COULD. Do i need to say more on how this was done . As it was NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART .

The real thing was NOT to be seen or heard . Get in do what we were sent to do and get out of dodge . Avoid contact best ya could . As a fire fight was not in your favor . have your escape route planed out going in . Ya stumbled into something finish it fast and move and if your followed make it vary costly for those following slowing them down . you are not allowed mistakes .