World War II Veterans Sought for Honor Flights

Photo: Mack Shumate, WWII veteran, with his son Larry Shumate at WWII Memorial, June 30, 2015. Photo | Honor Flight Chicago

There are an estimated 17,000 World War II veterans living in the Chicago area who have not yet received their well-earned “day of honor” in Washington, D.C.

Honor Flight Chicago, a not-for-profit that provides free trips for World War II veterans to visit the National World War II Memorial built in their honor, is enlisting community support in reaching these remaining humble heroes. Seats are still available for the July 29 flight, September 2 and September 30 flights.

“As we gear up to celebrate the Fourth of July, we can’t help but be reminded of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our freedom,” said Mary Pettinato, co-founder and CEO of Honor Flight Chicago. “Our veterans live with those memories every day. Visiting their memorial with others who shared their experience is an opportunity for these senior heroes to pay tribute to fallen brothers and sisters, and for us to show the greatest generation we will never forget their service.”

To date, Honor Flight Chicago has flown more than 5,600 World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., for a day of recognition and remembrance. While waiting lists for these free honor flights exceeded 2,000 in 2013, these aging heroes have become increasingly difficult to reach.

Health and mobility concerns are the number one barrier for many World War II veterans who otherwise want to take an honor flight, Pettinato said. “These concerns are certainly understandable among a group whose average age is 90. But we want these senior heroes and their families to understand that Honor Flight Chicago is prepared for the challenges and has safely travelled with thousands of individuals just like them.

“On each trip, we have veterans who cannot see, veterans who have difficulty hearing (most), and veterans who cannot walk,” explained Pettinato. “Yet after the trip, just about every veteran tells us that their day with Honor Flight Chicago was by far one of the best days of their lives.”

An early morning departure from Midway Airport begins a day of reminiscing for veterans who waited almost 60 years to see their World War II Memorial built. A short ceremony at the Memorial provides traveling veterans with an opportunity to pay tribute to comrades whose dreams and aspirations were cut short by the war. There are also visits to the Lincoln, Korean, and Vietnam memorials and, as time permits, the Enola Gay at the Air and Space Museum. The day’s adventure concludes back at Midway with a “welcome home” celebration of a lifetime.

Anyone who knows a World War II veteran living in the Chicago area, or able to travel to Chicago to board an honor flight, is encouraged to visit honorflightchicago.org or call 773-227-VETS (8387) for additional information and a WWII veteran application. Remaining 2015 Honor Flights are scheduled for July 29, September 2 and September 30.