On Wednesday, October 12, I participated in a Honor Flight that other members of the 80 Division Veterans Association might find interesting. The day started before dawn at Chicago Midway Airport. The veterans were greeted by Honor Flight volunteers, put in wheelchairs at the curb, if needed, and registered. A fully loaded plane then took off for Washington, D.C. Upon landing, we were greeted by the fire department with a fire hose spray and a group of military and civilians people.

We were put into buses and driven through Washington. First to the Air Force Memorial, had a breakfast box lunch and then back on the bus. We went, to Arlington National Cemetery. watched the changing of the guard and sang the National Anthem. We also saw the Vietnam Memorial and the Korean Memorial. Drove next to the WW II Memorial and watched another changing of the guard. It had been drizzling off and all day long, but ay this time it started to really pour. We then went to the National Air and Space Museum and then back to Dulles. We were given a dinner box lunch and entertained by volunteers with a 1940’s party. Amazingly, our volunteers pushed us in the wheelchairs and stayed with us until we went back on the plane.

Before landing we had another surprise arranged by the Chicago volunteers and our wives and kids! Mail Call. It consisted of letters from family and friends.  Deplaning we were welcomed by active duty, reserve, and retired military. Finally meeting our families and friends in a special area .On a Wednesday night after 10 o’clock at night, there were over 3 thousand people there to greet us. It was indeed the parade and welcome we had never received in 1946.  A very long day; but one of the best days of my life.

Col. Lionel J. Rothbard, USA Ret.
Company B, 305th Med. Bn.
587th Amb. Co.