Washington, DC
Thanks to my good friend Susan Jowers, who also happens to be the Miss Rodeo Florida Vice President, I learned of the Space Coast Honor Flight earlier this year. Susan had previously been a guardian and thought I would enjoy the same experience, so she encouraged me to learn more and get involved.
I researched the organization - Space Coast Honor Flight or SCHF - and I learned that their mission is to take a group of WWII veterans on a one-day, all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to see War Memorials. It sounded like a great thing to be a part of, so I signed up for the August trip. At orientation, a few weeks before, I was able to meet the veteran I would be escorting. His name was Bill Haskell, 84 years old, Navy Veteran and currently lives in St Cloud, Florida. He was a friend of Susan's as well who she played tennis with - yes, even at 84! And if you ask Susan, he's pretty dang good, too!
In the early, early morning of August 25th, Tracy Clements took me to pick up Bill. We arrived at his house at 3am and he was bright-eyed and bushy tailed, totally ready to go. He said he hadn't gotten any sleep all night, he was up watching golf. I think excitement had a little to do with it as well! We went to the same building we had Orientation at to sign in, regroup, and head to the Orlando airport. When we arrived, there were hundreds of cars in the parking lot. "What are all these cars for?" Bill asked. I honestly had no idea, there were only 25 veterans signed up to go on the trip and each of them can only take 1 guardian. When we walked in the front doors, we found out immediately. The meeting room was packed completely full. Airmen from Patrick AFB had come to wish us off, as well as family members and friends of the other veterans. There were even dignitaries present, a Major General and congressmen from the local area! After the National Anthem, welcome speakers, and last minute instructions - we began to file out towards the bus that would take us to the airport. While walking out the door, a tunnel was formed and we walked through the center. People cheered, the honor guard held their swords in a V, and at the end of the line we were coined and shook hands with the General. Bill sat down with me towards the back of the bus, and he said he couldn't help but get a little emotional already. I knew right then it was going to be a very special day indeed.
Upon taking off from the parking lot, a group of over 30 motorcycles fell in line behind our police car escort. It was a sight to see as we pulled away! We drove right by the formation of soldiers saluting us, and waved one last goodbye to the rest of our friends and family. We would see them again about midnight - we're in for a long trip!
Not having to stop at a single light on the way to the airport was awesome, and I could definitely get used to traveling that way. When we pulled up to the airport, another group was there to welcome us. Everywhere we went there were lights, flags waving, and people cheering and wanting to shake the veterans' hands. We even bypassed airport security and walked straight to the terminal - I could get used to that too!
Sitting on the plane ready to go, our group leader told us we would be in for quite a few little surprises today. The first one happened as we were taxing from the ramp to the runway. The local fire department brought fire trucks out to spray our plane with the water cannons before we took off! When we landed in DC, more fire trucks greeted us in the same way!
Stepping off the plane in Washington - spirits were high! I couldn't wait to see what the day had in store. When we walked out we were immediately greeted by an enormous cheering crowd forming a tunnel right there in the airport. Another general shook our hands, and this time there was a ton of navy Seamen to greet the vets. Bill was especially grateful, having served in the Navy himself. After we walked through all the people, in a sentimental voice and watery eyes, Bill said, "I thought everyone had forgotten about us."
We boarded the bus and headed off to our first stop: the Air Force Memorial. Traveling in style, we also had a police escort for this portion of the trip - which was essential because DC traffic was nuts! I had been to the Air Force Memorial once before, but Bill had never been. He had actually never been to DC although he grew up just one state over in New York. Right out of High School I had the opportunity to intern for SD Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin on Capitol Hill, so I lived in DC for about 3 months.
After the Air Force Memorial, we went to the National Mall where our first stop was the WWII Memorial. Then we went over to the Vietnam wall, which isn't too far away, but on this day was exceptionally hard to get to because there were so many people everywhere! We made it happen though, and we only ran over a few people in the process and we didn't tip the wheelchair over once! Success! We also visited Arlington Cemetery and watched the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Our final stop was at the Iwo Jima memorial, and then we boarded the bus for the last time to head back to the airport. Getting all of the stops into one day was challenging because there was so much to see, but not once did I see Bill or any of the other veterans grow tired. They were all so thankful to be there and quite a lively bunch! One veteran in particular kept us all entertained - his name was Earl. He was quite the ladies man, taking pictures with beautiful women all day and even stole a kiss from the flight attendant!
As we settled into our seats on the plane to go back to Florida, I looked around at the group of 25 veterans I had just had the opportunity to get to know and share such a special day with. I felt very lucky to have made so many new friends, but especially fond of the relationship I had built with my veteran, Bill. I had gotten to know him so well in such a short period of time it was just incredible. I learned all about him as a young Seaman, his late wife, his journey through life and his reflection about what had happened to him over the last 84 years. I will never forget that experience for as long as I live, nor will I forget the emotion that ran through me when someone asked Bill what his favorite part of the day was. I couldn't help but smile and fight back tears when he replied, "Having Miss Rodeo Florida push me around." To be a special part of Bill's memory of his trip to DC is an honor, to call him a friend is a blessing, to spend the day with a true American hero - unforgettable.
