An 'Honored' Flight

by Staff Sgt. Abigail Klein
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

6/16/2014 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Nineteen Korean and two World War II Veterans returned home to Wichita, Kansas, to a hero's welcome, including a display of gratitude from family and community members as well as more than 40 McConnell Airmen, June 13, 2014. 

The veterans had traveled together to Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight Network. The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created to honor World War II, Korean and Vietnam Veterans for their service. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. The Honor Flight Network provides opportunities for these veterans to travel to the nation's capital to visit their war memorials, as well as other sites. 

The trips are funded through donations from each state's Honor Flight Network, with top priority is given to the senior veterans - World War II survivors, along with other veterans who may be terminally ill.
The 931st Air Refueling Group community saw this flight as a chance to give back.
"In the past several weeks we have had the opportunity to participate in several events designed to honor veterans," said Col. Mark S. Larson, 931st Air Refueling Group commander. "In all cases a grateful community demonstrated their overwhelming support and gratitude for us as military members. This Honor Flight homecoming provided us a unique opportunity to thank those who have so nobly passed the baton of defending our nation's freedom to us."

Larson and several members of the 931 ARG greeted the veterans immediately after their return to Kansas at welcoming ceremony held at a local Wichita hotel. The event provided McConnell Airmen a chance to personally thank and honor those who served before them.

"Both of my grandfathers served in the Korean War and I felt this was the best way I could honor them," said Tech. Sgt. James Lucas, 931st Ground Safety Technician. "I don't think they have ever seen this many people welcome them back, so I really think it means a lot to them that we were here."

The greeting was an emotional one for U.S. Army Korean War Veteran Jim Stoecklein, who, in addition to the military members on hand, was greeted by 10 members of his family. This was Stocklein's first experience with the Honor Flight Network.

"I just really wanted to go and the opportunity finally came up, so I grabbed it," he said. "It was really special seeing the various memorials. I will never forget this experience."

For more information about the Honor Flight Network, visit the official website at http://www.honorflight.org.