Hampton, VA – Carole McKinstry, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545, recently served as an escort for an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., a one-day journey honoring veterans for their service.

 

The Hampton Roads group gathered at the American Legion, where they met their assigned veterans and shared stories of their lives. McKinstry's veteran, Bob, was a retired Army veteran who served in Vietnam.

 

Following a breakfast and a spirited send-off from local ROTC groups and veteran supporters, the bus departed with a police and motorcycle escort. The itinerary included a visit to the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, followed by stops at the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The day concluded with the moving Changing of the Guard ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

After a celebratory dinner at a Knights of Pythias lodge, the bus returned to the American Legion, where veterans were greeted by supporters once more.

 

The trip was run by Old Dominion Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to honoring veterans with this unique and meaningful experience. More information about Old Dominion Honor Flight can be found at https://olddominionhonorflight.org/.

The Honor Flight staff dedicated countless hours to ensuring a memorable and meaningful experience for each veteran, honoring their service with the utmost respect. A few weeks later, an ice cream social was held to allow veterans, guardians, and staff to reconnect and share their experiences.

"This Honor Flight provided a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our nation's veterans and the importance of honoring their service and dedication," stated McKinstry.