WASHINGTON, D.C. – 77 veterans from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula visited the nation’s capital on Wednesday, taking part in an Honor Flight. Honor Flights celebrate their sacrifice and service during their time in the military by visiting monuments and memorials dedicated to servicemembers.
“It’s my first time being here,” said Navy veteran Vernon Christy. “It’s been awesome.”
Christy has wanted to take part in an Honor Flight and his family encouraged him to go.
“I was in the submarine service,” said Christy. “We were down under, we didn’t see a lot of surface but we enjoyed it. I enjoyed the time in everything.”
Carla Noel, a volunteer, was inspired to give back to these veterans after her grandpa went on an Honor Flight several years ago.
“This is my fourth mission on the Honor Flight but I started a golf tournament for the Honor Flight nine years ago,” said Noel. “My grandpa was a World War II veteran that went on Mission Four 13 years ago. He lived for four years after and he talked about it every day like it just happened. So, when he passed away my son called me from college said ‘I know it’s a long shot mom, but what do you think about doing a golf tournament and giving the proceeds to the honor flight?’ Grandpa loved to golf.”
Noel said their first year they raised $4,500 from the golf tournament. Last year they were able to raise 30-thousand dollars. “To be able to give back especially to veterans that didn’t receive the welcome home they deserved it’s been a real honor.”
For the Rudden family, their dad, Emmette, was supposed to take part in this Honor Flight.
“He was in Okinawa 70, 71 as an emergency generator mechanic at the emergency hospitals,” said Kevin and Bradley Rudden, Emmette’s family. They said Emmette died last Monday. This trip meant everything to him.
“I’m honored to be here, we are honoring his service,” said the Ruddens. “We signed him up a year ago for it. He’s been talking about it going on it, but he is here with us.”
