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Honor Flight: Crowd of Complete Strangers Cheer WWII Vets as They Deboard Plane at D.C. Airport

Honor Flight: Crowd of Complete Strangers Cheer WWII Vets as They Deboard Plane at D.C. Airport

While hundreds of travelers at a D.C. airport were gathered by their respective gates waiting for their flights, an “Honor Flight” of World War II veterans deplaned. Much to the members of the Greatest Generation’s surprise, they were met with a resounding round of applause and were cheered heartily by the crowd as they made their way through the terminal.

“It was just an outstanding day,” said one of the vets, Ed Cavanaugh. “It was the day of a lifetime, to be honest with you. The people who run the [Honor Flights] … are the finest group of people I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. The trip that day was unreal.”

The Honor Flight was to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day. Fox News interviewed Cavanaugh and another veteran to discuss the emotional moment:

Comments (96)

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  • BurntHills
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:23am

    our uncle (DDay, and Battle of the Bulge, and liberated 2 concentration camps) was able to go on an Honor Flight just months before he passed, he was absolutely thrilled. we were probably even more thrilled for him. God bless Honor Flight org, and all these glorious US Vets.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • Patriot83
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:29am

      Honor Flight is a nationwide program 100% funded by donations. They fly WWII Veterans with a volunteer guardian out of more than fifty cities to Washington DC to visit historic sites including the WWII Memorial. I have been a guardian for three of our heroes with Honor Flight Chicago. I can only speak with experience about the support from people in Chicago and Washington DC, but the people who come out to cheer these heroes are phenomenal.

      If you want to see an incredibly inspiring display of love, honor, respect, and gratitude from thousands of people at one time, search “Honor Flight” in Google (or any Internet search engine) and find out when the next Honor Flight near you takes our heroes from your community to Washington DC. Be part of the thousands of people cheering, waving flags, shaking hands and kissing these heroes in the airport as they return home from one their ode memorial visit. This 1-day experience is a gift every WWII veteran deserves, and joining the reception at the airport when our heroes return in the evening is something every American should do at least once a year. I guarantee you will be glad you were part of the experience.

      Report Post »  
    • teebubba
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 5:52pm

      This is not a belittling comment. I spend a lot of time in airports. Since 911 in a US Airport whenever more than one serviceman in uniform passes through a spontaneous applause erupts from the people who are there. This is an unwritten rule/response….not the exception as the headline would have you believe.

      Report Post » teebubba  
    • Coalition4MoralDecency
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:51pm

      @Burnthills – your uncle’s story seems to mirror my grandfather who passed away at the end of March of this year (today is the first time since he died that this anniversary has passed and it is hard as I idolized my grandfather)- he fought in the same locations in Europe from D Day +2 through France to the Bulge into Germany and Auschwitz and Dachau – he was a member of the 89th Quartermaster Group – he never really discussed the war until the last few years and only briefly so I relish those who share their stories – we have gotten to start reading the letters he wrote over the time in the Army and are learning things about him

      One of the things I started doing as a kid was to study military history since and now after 20 years of study I am still in awe (I had relatives at Pearl Harbor as well) and I am constantly humbled and often nearly brought to tears being in those vets presence – I wish that kids today could actually understand this part of our history

      Our nation is blessed for the sacrifice of these men and we owe it to them to not let future generations forget

      Report Post »  
    • TROONORTH
      Posted on June 9, 2012 at 8:54am

      My uncle, who passed away a number of years ago, had his ‘honour flight’ as he flew his Spitfire over the Rhine river chasing two Me 109′s in 1944. Thanks Uncle Bill and your Mk9.

      Report Post » TROONORTH  
  • lisa2994
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:22am

    So happy to see people showing their pride in our military! We love you all guys those serving then and now!!!!!

    Report Post » lisa2994  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:50am

      Honor flights are nice…for a few days or so, but to show them a real honor is to [remember] them as we go through average-life. If you should see one(orso), smile and say hello. This will let them know WE have not forgotten. Even after they have gone-completely, continue to teach their real history (no-PC), to keep our herritage alive. This is what honoring looks-like.

      Report Post »  
    • Jabber
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 12:04pm

      GWhiz

      One of our (my husband and I) favorite things to do is “treat” a soldier. We live near a military base so seeing men and women in camo at the store or in a gas station is common. If we see them in line, and can afford whatever it is they are purchasing, we ask the clerk to put it on our bill. They usually initially resist, and only one has refused to let us do it (he was very nice) but when we tell them “It would be an honor for us if you would allow us to express our gratitude for your service and sacrifice in this small way” they almost always get teary eyed and thank us profusely.

      Our local elementary school does an annual 5th grade Patriotic Program where they sing songs about America and do a short history timeline. At the end of it, they play the theme songs from each of the branches of the military and ask all veterans and currently serving military members to stand during their particular song. The crowd goes WILD and cheers and claps and sings along with them as these brave men and women stand proudly, eyes gleaming.

      I love my country and I love these fellow brothers and sisters who devote their time and lives to protecting it and everyone in it.

      Report Post »  
  • Beachbaby
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:15am

    Bet that ticks off the liberals and dems. They would be afraid of REAL MEN! I know what they did for me. I can never thank them enough for my freedoms. Because of my sex, its not THAT great to live here BUT its better than any other country. If I had money like all the Hollywood skanks I would give cash directly to our soldiers. Most donations get stolen. Soldiers are the real men the real people. I am forever grateful and will have their back whenever its needed.

    Report Post »  
    • think1st
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:18am

      Ok, I’ll bite. What kind of sex do you have, and why is it a problem in this country? =)

      Report Post »  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 12:09pm

      @ Think 1st

      On analysis, given that the above writer referred to ‘hollywood skanks’, I think the author is a lady given she is referencing ladies in an indirect comparison.

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
    • think1st
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 2:16pm

      @Ohiorifleman
      I concurr. And, since a) she seems bitter that she herself does not have any money, b) she seems to blame this lack of money on the treatment of women in this country, and c) she implies the wealthy women of the entertainment industry got their money through promiscuous behavior (“Hollywood skanks”), I thought it might be fun to make sport of her phrase “because of my sex”, This can be taken, of course, to mean “because of my gender”, but *could* also be taken to mean “because of my sex that I have…..”. One could play fill-in-the-blank with this line. Such as, “because of my sex while dressed as one of The Seven Dwarves…“ or ”because of my sex – which involves Play-Doh, 9 volt batteries & Jerry Lewis movies…” How do *you* think she fills in the blank?

      @BeachBaby
      I’m just having a little fun with your phrasing on a boring Friday afternoon… I agree with all your other points! =)

      Report Post »  
  • okredstate
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:14am

    My dad was on two destroyers in WWII. Both sunk by Kamakaze. The William D. Porter (DD579) was at picket station 12 of the NW corner of Okinawa. She now is in 12000 ft of water. There is a great story about this ship. I tried to get my dad to sign up for the honor flights, but he does not want to go. He joined the Navy at age 16, in early 1942, he is now 87. He is a silent hero, as with most of his generation.

    Report Post »  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:38am

      my grandfather was a submariner…machinist mate…in the engine room of a sub 300ft below the Pacific fighting the Japanese for 4 years, 1942-1945. he never spoke of what happened or that he was even there…it was just one of those topics that was forbidden to bring up….

      my oldest is now on his second tour …first to Iraq now in Afghanistan… and there are things his mother will NEVER know about his deployment and preparation for deployment….

      being in combat changes your perspective rather fast on the importance of things…those that brag about what they did or do don’t seem to last long in combat….

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
  • piper60
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:07am

    My father-in-law is a WWII vet. He’d love one of these flights. I am proud of him. I also am proud of that crowd that applauded. Obama isn’t.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • Akridgerunner
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:06am

    My father enlisted in the Marines at 16 with a signature from his mother and served in the South Pacific until 1945. He became a man during that experience.

    Report Post »  
    • countryfirst
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 12:26pm

      Akridgerunner

      Your father was a man at 16 , My father also enlisted at 16 sent all pay home to care for his mother and two brothers since my Grandfather passed a few years earlier. Only went to the 5th grade and still provided for our family of 10.
      Both yours and mine are better men then I will ever be.

      Report Post » countryfirst  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:54am

    My dad joined the Army in 1930. He was in the 121st Medical Service Battalion, Americal Division. The 121st was detached to the USMC to provide medical support for the invasion of Guadalcana and landed Day 1. Leading a medical patrol to care for some USMC wounded, the patrol was ambushed. Dad was only survivor. The Japanese skinned his right leg from ankle to knee when he was rescued by a Marine patrol. Earlier that day, Dad got a battle field commision from Chesty Puller. Puller made him a 2LT in the USMC. The Army followed on that when he was recuperating in Australia. Dad retired in 1963 following a tour in Vietnam. He passed on in 1965.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:56am

      What a legacy for your family! Men like him are few and far between these days. God bless you-please keep his stories and memories alive for others.

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:26am

      Thank you. BTW, my mother told me about my father. Dad would just say he was in a jeep accident.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:45am

      Awesome, D.V.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
  • Dustoff
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:52am

    As many here, my father too served as a B-17 pilot. But was caught in early days of the war in PI.
    He survived the Death march and the hell ships to Japan.
    But being a POW was murder on his body and after coming home he lived for just a few years before passing away.

    They are the Greatest Generation. Yet that is not to say our newest generation of young people serving now and past years and not also great.
    Cause they are.

    Report Post » Dustoff  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:33am

      DUSTOFF: Reading this brought chills to me. My mom worked on the very first B-17 being build in Long Beach, Calif. She is so proud of her service, even if it was as a Rosie Riveter.

      Our town organized and sent 5 different groups of WWII military men to Washington D.C. for the Honor Flight. You should have seen the people at the Airport to not only see them off on their trip, but also to be there for the return. These men were still in awe with tears in their eyes and it was so humbling to welcome them home after such intense memories for them. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
      Get out and vote in November, for our Country’s sake and our sakes. No hope, need change.

      Report Post »  
    • Nedarc
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:33pm

      God bless you and your FATHER !

      Report Post »  
  • BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:51am

    I have the honor and priviledge of living in a town with one of the last remainig survivors of the USS INDIANANOPOLIS. He was in the water for approx 5 days. 1,196 on board…..900 made it to the water…….Many crew were eaten by sharks as they waited in the water for rescue. It is a blessing just to be able to know him.

    http://www.ussindianapolis.org/story.htm

    Report Post »  
  • LARR
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:36am

    I took my dad (WWII – USS Columbia-South Pacific) up to WWII Memorial and Arlington. Arranged for him to lay a wreath at Tomb of the Unknown in honor of his brother (lost at sea-immortalized on one of the slabs at Battery Park, NYC). I had also gotten him a WWII Veteran ball cap. Flew from Charleston to DC and back. The number of people who came up and thanked him was simply amazing! One elderly lady in tears said “you boys went through so much for us”…I have a pic on my wall here of him at the Tomb. I’ll never forget it!!

    Larry
    USN – Retired

    Report Post »  
    • Sharon Rose
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:51am

      Its so sad that the younger generations do not know what sacrifices you and your families made just to keep America free. Thank you military past, present and to come for your service.

      Report Post »  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:57am

      That’s great, Larr.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • CommittedPatriot
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 2:12pm

      My dad served on the Columbia also. A Fire Controlman, he participated in many of the great battles. He passed in 2000 and I had the honor and priviledge of particpating in the ceremony that had his ashes spread off the coast of Virginia off of Aircraft Elevator Nr 4 on the USS Harry S Truman CVN75. I have a lot of his Navy memorbilia hanging in my restaurant so there‘s not a day that goes by where I don’t see him.

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 3:07pm

      Larr

      You did your father proud. Great job with the flowers for your uncle at the Tomb. If your father is still with us, please thank him for me.

      BTW, Thank you for your service.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • cristo52
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:35am

    They weren’t strangers, they were fellow Americans.

    Report Post »  
  • Champflyer
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:23am

    As a Vietnam Veteran, I proudly stand and salute these gentlemen from the Greatest Generation, they are indeed – the Greatest!

    Report Post » Champflyer  
    • AmericanStrega
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:28am

      Thank You CHAMPFLYER for your service. You and every other person who has served or is serving in our military will always have my gratitude for giving me my freedoms. Again, I Thank You.

      Report Post »  
    • DanBritt
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:17pm

      CHAMP,
      I give all honor to all WWII Vets.
      With the same gratitude, I give all honor to Vietnam Vets.
      No difference in the courage and patriotism of WWII, Korean, or Vietnam Vets .
      God bless you all !

      Report Post » DanBritt  
  • liesnomore
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:21am

    My dad served by working on the Manhattan Project….always pround of him for that.
    My dad tells a story about how twice the military came to him to try to draft him. Twice people from the project cam to the military and said “No, you cn’t have him…he stays here”
    BTW: Gen. Groves, who oversaw the project, wrote a book entitled “Now it Can Be Told” …a facinating read.

    Report Post »  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:18am

    God Bless our wonderful veterans and the United States of America (we are exceptional)!!!

    Report Post »  
  • AUsername
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:16am

    Those were the last group of veterans that actually defended the country from a real threat and you could actually say they protected our freedoms by doing so. Although many were forced by draft back in those days, you did have to have some balls not to run to Canada to avoid war where there were allot more deaths and bad war strategies.

    Report Post » AUsername  
    • jcldwl
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:44am

      You seem to be forgetting the all volunteer force that has been fighting to protect our country from further terrorist attacks. They are fighting to protect us and the rests of the world from a real threat also. Don’t sell them short because there is always room for another great generation.

      Report Post » jcldwl  
  • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:13am

    Most likely 99% of the cheers were coming from people that do NOT reside in the District of Columbia. Trust me I’m from there. God Bless our Military and a ones that have served!

    Report Post »  
  • HappyHaloHousewife
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:09am

    I had the opportunity to thank a military man in full uniform just yesterday. All he said was “You’re welcome, ma’am”. Salutes and hats off to our veterans and active duty military. Thank God above for the freedoms we enjoy, and may we work to deserve a future of freedoms as well.

    Report Post » HappyHaloHousewife  
  • salvawhoray
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:07am

    So tired of the ads, they should let us know that they will be one; I bet most people won’t click on it.

    salvawhoray  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:05am

    Me being one of those Vets who barely survived the Korean Political Profiteering War, say AMEN, and Amen, to ALL Vets!

    Report Post »  
    • Blazebanned
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:19am

      “Korean political profiteering war”? What the hell is that encinom,care to explain? You are truelly someone i would dearly love to get my hands on.Its truelly pathetic,that you pretend to be so many things on here, when you have never ventured past your mothers mailbox.Now stfu and crawl back into your hole.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:01am

    God Bless you all for serving and defending our country; may we never forget.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Greenie40
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:00am

    My mother and father in-law are gardians for Honor Flight here in Colorado. It is a wonder organization.

    Report Post »  
  • Danang1972
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 7:54am

    My father served in WW2 – was in the South Pacific. Dad passed away almost 5 years ago. I am a Vietnam Vet who served at Danang 70-71. God bless my father and all vets past and present. I miss you dad!

    Report Post » Danang1972  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:07am

      My grandfather also fought in the South Pacific and received a purple heart. I served in the Navy but, no combat. God bless them and to you Vietnam Vets, welcome home.

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • Cdegiusti
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:14am

      Thank you for your service. God bless you, your father and all vets!

      Report Post » Cdegiusti  
    • pudssweetie
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 1:22pm

      My Dad also served during WWII and was stationed in both the Marshal Islands as well as the Solomon Islands. He never spoke much of the war or his experience in the South Pacific, but I do know that he was a fuselage mechanic and that the small group of guys who my Dad served with and became very close friends with all died during the war leaving my Dad the sole survivor to make it back home. Even though he didn’t talk much about his experience the one thing that always shined through was how proud he was of being a Marine and the pride he had in serving his country and because of that, he passed that pride onto my Brother and myself.

      Report Post »  
  • kathystone
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 7:53am

    You did not hear this generation of heros whining about PTSD. They went thropugh the horrors of war, came home and got on to the business of raising their families. My Grandfathers both served, one on the pacific side and one on the european side. My one Grandfather had his won way to protest killing other human beings. he went through the awar with an unloaded gun! He was the man who laid the wire fromteh front to the gnereals so he was always the ONE the enemy wanted to take out most. yet, he had Divine Protection the entire time and even captured a group of 13 German soldiers toward the end of the war. he came home with shrapnel in both legs and his right arm. Over time it would come to the surface and they would have to do surgery to remove it. Yet he never complained or asked for “disability”.
    I am not saying someone who is actually disabled should not have our suport but I see too many people including service members who are trying to get on theb public dole instead of being a man and supporting themselves.

    Report Post »  
    • Athinkerinaseaoflibs
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:38am

      While you don’t hear them whining about PTSD a lot of them were impacted by the war. I have never been to war but I am told by many heroes who have that “War changes you”. I can’t imagine how war could not have an impact unless you are completely spiritually dead. To have someone you feel a connection to you and even loved, die or be maimed when they had so much ahead of them has to set your feeling raw. It has to impact you to kill another human being.
      The idea of a good or just war is a fallacy. There really are only wars that are necessary to be on the side of right. The US position in WWII was about as close to that type war as there ever was. Extreme evil as the Nazis and the Japanese demonstrated must be defeated at all costs. That may have soften the blow the impact of war but I doubt if it ever will free one from it.

      Report Post »  
    • Kulprit
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:47am

      They also had several days transit back to the States. I think most people over look the fact that todays generation of Heroes could be in a fire fight, lose their best friend, or get wounded and be back State side in less than a day. There isnt time for Brothers in Arms to talk things out, come to grips, and get their heads straight.

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:21am

      PTSD is a fact for WWII vets. My father served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. One of the things I learned around age 3 was never to shake my father awake when he was sleeping. As an Army dependent you learned never to ask your father about war. They would tell you nothing.

      I bet every dependent heard a variation of this story.

      I was trapped in my (fox hole, bomber, fighter, ship) in the dark of the night. They (Germans, Japanese, Italians) came for me. I ran out of ammo with 5 (Germans, Japanese, Italians) charged. I killed 4. That’s all I remember. (You then asked what about the 5th one). The response—-Why they killed me.

      I can’t count the number of times I have heard this story from all kinds of combat vets.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • wntsmallgov
      Posted on June 9, 2012 at 4:10am

      They have found that as these men retired, they started to show signs. I had a step grandfather that served under Patton. For several years before he passed away he was having flash backs.

      May God keep all these men and future Generations in his hands of light and ease their souls of the burdens they have.

      Report Post » wntsmallgov  
  • MRMANN
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 7:53am

    God bless these men & women veterans, I owe them my very life.

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 7:51am

    Awesome, men! Thank you for your service, your examples, your courage. The GOOD LORD permitting, we are going to retake this country in HIS name and in honor and memory of all who have served her. In JESUS’ SWEET AND MIGHTY name, amen.

    Report Post »  
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