By Jim Dresbach
Pentagram Staff Writer
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Seven Soldiers from 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) assembled at Reagan National Airport the morning of Aug. 26 to greet, thank and welcome past military generations to the Military District of Washington.
By the time the latest Land of Lincoln Honor Flight had completely disembarked from its 9 a.m. flight, members of the Air Force, airport workers and nearly 300 civilians had joined the welcome with applause and flag waving at Reagan National's terminal one.
Honor Flights are day outings bringing World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veterans to metropolitan Washington D.C., to view their respective war memorials. The Old Guard plans to continue meeting the Honor Flights to thank veterans for their service throughout the remainder of the summer and into autumn.
"To be in the Army is great, but to look back on the men that went through a lot more than we have; they are truly the greatest generation," Spc. John McInnes of the Presidential Salute Battery said of the 80 veterans he welcomed at Washington's national airport.
The Aug. 26 Honor Flight roster specifically included 32 World War II veterans, 43 servicemembers who wore uniforms during the Korean War and five Vietnam vets.
While disembarking, many former Soldiers, Marines and Sailors were in tears after witnessing the enthusiastic reception.
"Isn't this great? I never got this when I came back from Korea," Honor Flight member Richard Parrish said.
Seven Airmen based at Joint Base Andrews and part of the Presidential Airlift Group also joined the ranks to salute those who battled during conflicts in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s.
"There is an overwhelming feeling right now," Air Force Master Sgt. Randy Pazuelos said. "Just to be able to give back to those who gave a lot during World War II and the other foreign wars is overwhelming."
MDW was also supported at the event by Sgt. Maj. Willene Orr, JFHQ-NCR/MDW command career counselor, the Fort Myer retention team and members of The Old Guard Caisson Platoon.
A joint service color guard presented the colors for an informal ceremony and The U.S. Army Chorus' Master Sgt. Antonio Giuliano sang the national anthem while Honor flighters and their guardians stood at attention.
The Old Guard's involvement in welcoming incoming Honor Flights will continue on Sept. 6 and Sept. 11.
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