Honor Flight Arizona Giving Hope to Hundreds of WWII Veterans Since 2009

“They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together and now they sleep side by side, to them we have a solemn obligation.” – Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

The average age of a World War II veteran is 93 and a half years old. How do you give hope to someone who has lived through a depression, a world war, times of unrest and countless other hardships, both in a military career and one’s personal life? 

You honor them.  

Honor Flight Arizona started in 2008 after Susan Howe took her father, a B24 nose gunner, on an Honor Flight from Ohio. Because of her experience, she recognized the need for an Honor Flight in Arizona. The first trip took place in 2009 with twelve veterans in attendance. By 2013, over 700 vets had taken the trip from Arizona to Washington D.C. Today, over 1,300 vets have experienced an Honor Flight because of Honor Flight AZ. 

Honor Flight Arizona is one of 140 Honor Flight hubs across the country whose mission is to fly WWII vets to Washington D.C. on a journey of honor and remembrance to visit the WWII Memorial, among others. 

In the following story, Bryan Rossi, a history teacher at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale and supporter of Honor Flight Arizona, recounts the story of an Honor Flight trip from beginning to unforgettable end and shares with us how the Honor Flights are made possible.   

The Journey 

An Honor Flight participant’s journey begins with applause and thank-you. As they walk the concourse of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to board their plane to Washington D.C., the terminal erupts in cheers and shouts as they shake the hands of strangers and move toward their gate.  

Once the vets board the plane (some have not flown since WWII!) and find their seats, they are instructed to look out the windows. Lifting the shades, the servicemen see a tarmac lined with volunteers and employees, all standing ramrod straight as the pilot announces the special guests on the flight. Salutes are plentiful and incredibly heartfelt, and the trip is just getting started. 

As the plane takes off and reaches its cruising altitude, the cabin quiets a bit. As with any long flight, some settle in for a nap, but many remain awake to recount days gone by. The guardians accompanying the veterans (volunteers who assist throughout the trip) have the privilege of listening to these stories. We hear that first dates were mostly in the daytime due to nighttime blackouts in so many American cities. Many of the vets’ first jobs were on the farm, delivering papers, or even working for the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), a public works project intended to promote environmental conservation through outdoor labor.  

The veterans share where they were when FDR announced that “Pearl Harbor was suddenly and deliberately attacked.” Most didn’t know where Pearl Harbor was. In sharing their life stories, we found out who was drafted and who volunteered to go to war. The best estimate is that 61 percent of Honor Flight Arizona vets volunteered to serve their country.  

The airline pilot announces the final descent into Baltimore-Washington International Airport and you can feel the anticipation in the cabin; it clings to the air. Upon landing, the Honor Flight vets are greeted by representation from many local military bases, proud men and women standing in line to welcome them to the Northeast. The veterans have great hope for our country when they see all of the young servicemen and women, in uniform, representing the American military.  

“They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together and now they sleep side by side, to them we have a solemn obligation.” – Admiral Chester W. Nimitz 

At the hotel, the veterans are treated to a wonderful meal and more stories are shared around the tables. No band or comedy act, no keynote speaker; their memories and these people to share the experience with is all the entertainment necessary. They discuss parts of the world where they’d travelled like China, Burma, India, South America, Panama and North Africa. They share stories of bombers, fighters, aircraft carriers, submarines and foot patrols. They tell true tales of dropping out of airplanes, flying gliders, storming beaches, weathering typhoons and marching miles and miles until their shoes were worn out, all to face the enemy.  

The next day the Honor Flight veterans are taken to Washington D.C. to see the National World War II Memorial, which honors the 16 million brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces, the more than 400,000 who died serving, and all who supported the war effort from home.  

Following our stop at the WWII Memorial, the group visited the Korean and Vietnam Memorials, FDR Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial, both the Navy and Air Force Memorials, the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.  

During our tour in Arlington, we learned that one of our vets, a Marine, was on Iwo Jima the day the iconic flag was raised. Our Marine was invited to join a class of eighth graders in participating in a Marine color guard ceremony where they presented a wreath in remembrance. Standing face to face with the high ranking officer, you could see that in our Marine’s mind, he was 19 again. He stood straight and tall, snapped a salute, and held it as long as the officer held his. The amazing part – the officer and the veteran had met on Iwo Jima for the 70th anniversary of the battle depicted in the bronze statue, which shows Marines hoisting the American flag on Mt. Suribachi.  

That evening, another dinner is enjoyed, more stories are shared, and comrades are remembered. After a 12-hour day of emotion, the veterans are happy to return to their hotel for a good night’s rest.  

On the final day, the group visits Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where the Star Spangled Banner was written. The veterans stand proudly while our nation’s anthem is played. Honor Flight volunteers and Guardians have witnessed something deeply profound and unforgettable.  

Later, on the flight back to Arizona, each veteran is given letters; letters from home, letters from students, from friends. While away and fighting in the war, some of these men never received one letter, but on the Honor Flight, each veteran receives 10 letters. Written by students as young as elementary school age, the letters express their true and honest gratitude. Smiling ear-to-ear, the veterans are happy to see the young generations’ kind words, and are so amazed that the children even know they exist. 

Upon touching ground at Phoenix Sky Harbor, the veterans are welcomed home with another rousing celebration – more cheers and wishes of “thank you.” As another Honor Flight comes to an end, the veterans are once again thanked for their service. This emotional and fulfilling experience is one that won’t soon be forgotten.  

Making an Honor Flight Happen 

It costs $900 to send one veteran on the three-day Honor Flight trip. Funding for these trips comes from many sources, including corporations, but the majority is from donations from veteran’s organizations, Daughters of the American Revolution, Elks, Lyons, hundreds of volunteers, an incredible Honor Flight Board and local schools.  

After attending an Honor Flight and experiencing the journey for himself, Bryan Rossi decided that he, his fellow staff members and their students would fundraise to benefit Honor Flight Arizona. Their goal was to send one veteran on the next scheduled Honor Flight. He was amazed at the outpouring of support and encouragement from the students, whom in that first year raised enough money to send not one, but three veterans on the trip. It’s only gotten bigger since; over the past five years, the school has raised over $50,000! 

Honor Flight would not be able to accomplish all that it does without the dedicated network of fundraisers like Rossi and the Mountain Ridge HS supporters, the various volunteers, local sponsors and Guardians.  

Volunteers assist with clerical support, fundraising, community outreach, organization of luncheons and events, and airport assistance at the beginning and end of trips. Click here to inquire about volunteering. 

Sponsors are a valued part of Honor Flight Arizona. The organization relies on local businesses, community groups and individuals to help raise enough money to complete the flights on schedule. To learn more about Click here to learn more about sponsoring a veteran on an upcoming Honor Flight. 

Guardians are needed to ensure each veteran has a safe and memorable experience on the Honor Flight three day trip. As a Guardian, you will physically assist the veterans at the airport, during the flight, and at the memorials. Guardians become almost family during the trip, and it truly is unlike any other experience. If you are interested in becoming a Guardian for a future Honor Flight, complete the application. 

Honor Flight Arizona doesn’t just provide a memorable and meaningful experience to our country’s veterans, they also encourage patriotism and gratitude across all generations. So the next time you’re in an airport and you hear applause and cheering, its most likely not a celebrity they’re cheering for, it is a group of WWII veterans being honored for what they did for us and our country over 70 years ago. Honor Flight’s biggest hope for the future is that we not forget the price paid for the liberties we enjoy every day. Freedom is not free, and the Honor Flight reminds our veterans just how much their service is appreciated. 

GivingHopeAZ thanks our veterans, past and future, for your service.