BY Robert Salant
On Saturday, August 3, 2024, American Airpower Museum and Honor Flight Long Island will co-host a patriotic reunion of 41 Vietnam War and five Korean War veterans. The reunion is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale, and will be the first time all of the vets are back together since their May 4th sponsored flight to Washington.
On May 4, 2024, Honor Flight escorted this band of brothers on an early a.m. flight to Washington, D.C. Veterans and their Guardians visited WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a “Changing of the Guard,” plus took a Washington, D.C. bus tour. They returned to MacArthur that evening for a raucous welcome home by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!
According to Bill Jones, HFLI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, “This special flight included 41 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service. They were accompanied on this flight by five elder comrades, veterans of the Korean War. What this flight really represented was a ‘Big Hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible,” he said.
Jones noted that newly elected Southampton Supervisor Maria Moore served on this flight as a Guardian. “We’re proud she was on board. The Town has supported HFLI since its beginning, getting us off the ground and ensuring our success. HFLI will be forever grateful for Southampton’s support,” Jones said. He added that May 4th was historic for HFLI, since it marked the nonprofit’s over 2,000 veterans flown milestone since the group started in 2007.
Our veterans received a special honor during their May 4th visit to D.C. Despite the pouring rain, HFLI Guardian Eric Wieboldt of Merrick, belted out his original song, “Welcome Home, My Brother,” which brought tears to veterans and onlookers alike. Eric said he wrote his song “because the Vietnam veterans never received a proper welcome home. My song is an attempt to right that wrong,” he added.
Many Honor Flight officials, as well as Veterans’ families and onlookers, were on hand for his moving performance. “Eric’s song honored the cohort of Vietnam Veterans that Honor Flight brought to D.C. on May 4th,” said Bill Jones, President, Honor Flight Long Island, U.S. Army Veteran and West Point Graduate. “His song was part of our ongoing efforts to give long overdue recognition and thanks for their service. Honoring our Vietnam Vets means a lot to these guys, even after all these years,” Jones said. Eric will perform his song as a special tribute during our August 3rd reunion.
Members of the public arriving for the event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. may attend FREE OF CHARGE! After 12:00 p.m., regular museum admission is free for members, $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, $10 for children ages 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and under. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President and Founder Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular medley called the “Armed Forces Salute,” featuring six official melodies of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air and Space Forces, and the Coast Guard. Free cake, coffee and refreshments provided by HFLI!
HFLI is accepting applications from veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Long Island veterans are encouraged to sign up by going to the website, www.honorflightlongisland.org. It’s important to submit an application, as that will ensure placement on our list. Veterans fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. They are accompanied by Guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400 (tax deductible) to offset their travel costs. If there is no family member to act as a guardian, HFLI has volunteers ready to step up for the privilege of escorting our heroes to their memorials. Questions? Call HFLI Secretary Jamie Bowden at (631) 702-2423 or by email at JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.
Robert Salant is a representative for the American Airpower Museum.
