LI Veterans Of WWII, Vietnam, Korean Wars To Reunite At American Airpower Museum

FARMINGDALE, NY — Veterans who served in World War II and the wars in Vietnam and Korea are set to reunite at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale on Aug. 5. The public is invited to attend the event, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 pm. Doors open half an hour early.

The reunion will see 37 Vietnam War veterans, two World War II veterans and five Korean War veterans meet again.

The veterans last saw each other when they took a flight to Washington, D.C. on April 29. Honor Flight Long Island escorted the veterans on a free early morning flight to the nation’s capital. Veterans and their guardians visited WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a "Changing of the Guard," the Air Force Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial. They returned to Islip MacArthur Airport that evening for a raucous welcome by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters.

According to Bill Jones, Honor Flight LI president, and a graduate of West Point in 1972, the flight gave veterans "long overdue recognition and thanks" for their military service.

"What this flight represented was a 'Big Hug' to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible," said Jones, who is a U.S. Army veteran.

The museum will hold a "Ceremony of Honors" and present each veteran with a tribute journal full of photos taken during their day in D.C. Members of the public arriving for the event from 10:30 a.m. to noon may attend free of charge. After 12 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 celebration includes speeches by Jones and American Airpower Museum President and Founder Jeff Clyman.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular medley known as the "Armed Forces Salute," featuring five official melodies of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

Free cake, coffee and refreshments will be provided by Honor Flight.

"Co-hosts AAM and Honor Flight LI encourage public participation in this historic event, to help us honor 44 of Long island’s home-grown heroes for their service to our great nation! See you at Hangar 3!"

The American Airpower Museum is at 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale.