LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — It was a trip of a lifetime. That’s how 27 local veterans described their “Honor Flight” experience to the nation’s capital on Sunday.
The veterans were among 166 who filled two C-17 aircraft from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for the Honor Flight Dayton trip. The group visited national memorials in Washington, D.C., on a whirlwind day of reflection and remembrance. All involved said the experience was hard to put into words.
Robert Wierwille, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, said, “One of the best trips I've ever made, especially you meet all the guys that went along and all that good stuff.”
Bill Flarida, a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, said, “It was a big handful, you know. I mean, we've seen a lot of people, a lot of things. Everybody was really nice and good food, the whole works.”
Joe Miles, also a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, called the trip “something I can cross off my bucket list. Now, I saw so many things there that I see on TV and some of the things I didn't know even existed in Washington, DC. And it was, it was an enlightening.”
Rick Wierwille, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, added, “wonderful, I'm choking up, it was wonderful. That's great. All the volunteers and big thanks to Mr. Mike Melvin, who put this all together. Appreciate it. I can't talk no more.”
Richard Fiser, also a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, said, “It was a wonderful, wonderful trip I couldn't get over the Arlington Cemetery. So big, so big.”
The Honor Flight Dayton program provides veterans the opportunity to visit memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifices.
“What an honor and we thank them all for their service to our country.”
More information about the program can be found at honorflightdayton.org.
