Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
On Wednesday afternoon the latest Kansas Honor Flight, Flight 102, returned to Wichita from Washington D.C. This flight return was coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
The Kansas Honor Flight organization, formed in 2012, has flown hundreds of Kansas veterans to visit the veterans memorials in Washington D.C., at no cost to them. Many of these veterans would otherwise never see their own memorial or visit the nation’s capital. The organization relies completely on donations from the public and many supporting businesses, schools and other organizations.
The Butler County veterans aboard Flight 102 included David Weide of Andover, who served in the Air Force; Bob Reed of El Dorado whom served in the Army and Steve Burden, a Leon High School graduate who now lives in Haysville.
Upon arriving home in Wichita, every veteran takes a bus ride from the airport to the Red Roof Inn for a welcome home ceremony. Here, family, friends and supporters rally to cheer them on and welcome them home in the best way possible. True patriotism and love shines through during each welcome home ceremony. During the ceremony special pinnings are done, the TAPS song is played live for those that didn’t make it home, and special remarks from poignant Kansas residents are made.
If a veteran aboard a KHF flight is disabled in any way there are chaperones or guardians provided who dedicate their time to helping those veterans make their way on and off each plane and around the hotels and memorials. WWII, Korean and Vietnam war era veterans are priority and are selected in the order they apply. Priorities are also given to terminally ill veterans. If you or someone you know is interested in taking an honor flight, you can apply on the website at https://kansashonorflight.org/.
The Times-Gazette would like to thank each and every veteran that’s served this great country and all current members of the US Military. You have served a debt that can never be repaid. We certainly hope this is the welcome home you need.
