If the skies were dark, cold, and cloudy Saturday, the atmosphere was anything but as 25 World War II and Korean veterans and 15 guardians gathered for the third Leatherstocking Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC.
This was the group’s third trip to the World War II Memorial; because they had Korean veterans along, organizer Greg Furlong said they also stopped at the Iwo Jima Memorila and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
“Just like always, it was a great day,” Mr. Furlong said. “The veterans are so appreciative…so is everyone we meet along the way. When we got down to the monuments, there must have been 100 people applauding.”
Excited to be making the trip, veterans from Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware Counties were picking out their seats on the tour bus well before the 7am departure time.
Friends, families, and supporters gathered to send them off to their first stop, the Albany Airport, behind an escort of dozens of motorcyclists and a host of American flags.
The next Honor Flight trip is slated for September.
Veterans interested in going at no cost to themselves can contact the Office for the Aging at 295-2001.
Anyone interested in serving as guardians, who help the veterans on their trip, or in making a contribution to the effort can also contact the OFA.