FARMINGDALE, NY — Forty-six Long Island veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C., through Honor Flight Long Island earlier this year will reunite Saturday at the American Airpower Museum for a public celebration honoring their service.
The reunion, co-hosted by the museum and Honor Flight Long Island, will recognize veterans who took part in the organization's May 2 Honor Flight from Long Island MacArthur Airport to the nation's capital.
During the trip in May, the group visited memorials dedicated to veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other sites like Arlington National Cemetery, Air Force, and Navy memorials, while sharing stories and experiences with fellow service members.
When the veterans returned to Long Island that evening, they were welcomed home by hundreds of family members, friends, and supporters, along with a performance by the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band.
According to the Honor Flight Network, the organization has flown more than 250,000 veterans to Washington, D.C., since 2005 to visit memorials and sites.
Honor Flight Long Island President Bill Jones, a 1972 West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran, said the group included 41 Vietnam War veterans, four Korean War veterans and one World War II veteran.
"This flight really represented a 'big hug' to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible," Jones said. He added that many Vietnam veterans "received long overdue recognition and thanks for their service."
The reunion will include a "Ceremony of Honors," during which veterans will receive Tribute Journals featuring photos from their trip. The program will also include remarks from Honor Flight Long Island and American Airpower Museum leaders, along with patriotic music.
Longtime Honor Flight Guardian Eric Wieboldt of Merrick will perform his original song, "Welcome Home, My Brother," which he wrote to honor Vietnam veterans who, he said, "never received a proper welcome home."
The reunion will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the American Airpower Museum, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale.
The public is welcome to attend. Admission is free for families, veterans, and visitors arriving between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Regular museum admission applies after noon.
Veterans can sign up on the waiting list for future Honor Flights by submitting an application online. Questions can be directed to Jamie Bowden at 631-702-2423 or JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.
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