Burr Ridge couple enjoy ‘lifetime experience’ with 100th Honor Flight

When Bonnie Cordaro of Godair Park-Burr Ridge reflects on her April 13 Chicago Honor Flight experience, she shares heart-felt sentiments.

“It was truly amazing – a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.

Cordaro and her husband, Jack, were encouraged to participate in the 100th Honor Flight by a friend and neighbor, Rose Ann Hoof of the Woods of King-Bruwaert in Burr Ridge. Hoof has been a long-time volunteer with the program who helps to recruit veterans for the flight.

The flight day began with a warm welcome featuring music and fanfare when the Cordaros and other veterans began arriving at Midway Airport at 3:45 a.m. Chicago vocalist Wayne Messmer sang patriotic songs to the veterans to the delight of all those visiting the airport.

“There were tons and tons of volunteers there,” she said. “We were taken from one station to the next to receive ID lanyards, an Honor Flight shirt and a cap designated with our branch of service. We also had name tags so it was easy to identify everyone with their branch of service and the years they served.”

Bonnie, a former U.S. Navy nurse and officer who served from 1961 to 1964, was one of only two females on the flight. Jack, a Specialist 3 who enlisted in the U.S. Army, served from 1955 to 1957. The couple has been married for 57 years.

More than 200 people boarded the flight with 117 veterans joined by guardians, medical staff, and a few assigned family members. Veterans on board included 3 from World War II ranging in age from 96 to 100; 11 from the Korean War with an average age of 88; and 103 who served in Vietnam with an average age of 75. All the veterans were asked to use a wheelchair with an assigned guardian. This facilitated a well-paced itinerary with no delays. The Chicago Fire Department honored participants before- and after the flights at the airport gates with a giant high pressure pumper truck water salute – much to the amazement of all the veterans.

Remarkably, there were no traffic delays in the ever busy Washington DC area once the veterans arrived. The Honor Flight buses received a full honorary police escort from Dulles Airport to the monuments. Lights and sirens led the way – making everyone feel very special and important.

The group visited memorials from World War II, the Korean War, the nurse’s statue, Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The Vietnam Wall is etched with the names of 58,279 service members who died in the war. Bonnie looked for the name of her cousin who died in Vietnam and made an etching to take home as a keepsake.

“It was all so special,” she commented. “Everything was very meaningful.”

As part of the day’s activities, the group visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in nearby Chantilly, VA. A docent offered a tour of the museum, describing all the aircraft and space equipment on display, as well as the capabilities of military fighter planes spanning the years.

Guests enjoyed meals and snacks throughout the day and had plenty of opportunities to take pictures next to famous sites and fellow veterans. The flight returned to Midway Airport at 8:30 p.m. and the veterans were warmly greeted by yet another large group of people including military personnel who were waving flags and clapping in unison in respect to those returning from the flight.

Among those waiting proudly for the Cordaros were their daughters, Jackie Fallon and Cindy Louderback and their husbands, Rich and Todd, and two grandchildren, Andrew Fallon and Emma Louderback. The family members were surprised to witness so much excitement at the airport as the legion of veterans disembarked the plane. Pride and enthusiasm were evident as hundreds of people congratulated the participants and thanked them for their service to our country.

“The Honor Flight was a wonderful experience as we joined with other veterans visiting the various war memorials,” Jack said. “We were truly honored to make this trip and we extend our thanks to all the wonderful people who made this possible and sent well wishes.”