Moline, Ill. - Soldiers from Rock Island Arsenal cheered veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War during an Honor Flight at Quad Cities International Airport on May 4.
The flight, organized by Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, is meant to send veterans to see war memorials in Washington, D.C. and then return them back home to the Quad Cities.
Soldiers from the U.S. Army Sustainment Command and the First U.S. Army cheered them on as they boarded the airliner. The Soldiers were also there to welcome them home after a long, but exciting day.
"It's a great opportunity to share with the veterans and welcome them back…For me it's about letting them know what it feels like to be welcomed back after leaving and now coming home," said Maj. Lanelle Pickett, commandant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, ASC. "Regardless of what it was like when they left, the coming back piece is very important and being welcomed back properly is equally important.
"The Rock Island community has always been supportive of veterans. We participate in events and the community participates in events to honor Soldiers," he said.
This event was also special to the veterans, many of whom had never seen some of the war memorials in the nation's capital.
"This is a great deal. We appreciate all the help to get these veterans to [Washington] D.C," .said Tom Bruck, a Navy and Vietnam War veteran. "I am excited to see the World War II monument and only wish that my dad, a World War II veteran, could have been able to see it."
Bruck served from 1968-1970, including one tour in Vietnam on the USS O'Bannon - a destroyer based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Participants began their trip with a 7 a.m. flight to the nation's capital and a tour of the various war memorials. It ended at 10 p.m. as the veterans returned to a huge crowd from the community and Rock Island Arsenal, ready to welcome them home.
Honor flights are free of cost to qualified veterans. Veterans can apply online at http://honorflightqc.org/application-forms/.
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