Vietnam Veterans To Reunite At LI's American Airpower Museum

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale's American Airpower Museum is set to play host to a special reunion, as 37 Vietnam-era veterans and one World War II veteran are set to meet at the museum on Aug. 13, the museum announced with Honor Flight Long Island.

The public is encouraged to attend the reunion and cheer on the veterans during the "Ceremony of Honors." The reunion is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale. The museum is slated to open at 10:30 a.m.

Each veteran will be presented with a personalized Tribute Journal full of photographs taken during their historic day in Washington, D.C. on June 4, when Honor Flight escorted them on an early-morning free flight to the nation's capital.

Veterans and their guardians visited WWII and Vietnam Memorials, plus Arlington National Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard. They returned to Islip later that evening for a rousing welcome by the Eastern Long Island Police Pipes and Drums Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family and supporters.

Admission for the 38 veterans, their guardians, and their families, on Aug. 13 is free.

Members of the public arriving for the event from 10:30 a.m. to noon may attend free of charge, the museum said. After 12 p.m., regular museum admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, and $10 for kids ages 5 to 12.

“This special flight included 37 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service," Bill Jones, president of Honor Flight Long Island, stated. "They were accompanied on this flight by one elder comrade, a WWII veteran of the ‘Greatest Generation.’ What this flight represented was a ‘Big Hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible."

Jones, a West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, is set to make a speech at the Aug. 13 reunion event, along with Jeff Clyman, the founder and president of the American Airpower Museum.

Elected officials are expected to attend and present citations to the veterans. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a patriotic 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 refreshments will be provided by Honor Flight Long Island.

"Come honor Long Island’s home-grown heroes!" the museum stated.

HFLI is accepting applications from veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Long Island veterans are encouraged to sign up by going to the website. Veterans fly for free, thanks to donations from
across Long Island, the museum said. They are accompanied by guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400 (tax-deductible) to offset their travel costs. If there is no family member to act as a guardian, HFLI has volunteers ready to step up to escort veterans to their memorials.

Those with questions may call Jamie Bowden at 631-702-2423 or email JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.