Two of our Lodge members, Bob Deniger and Art Short, had a wonderful and memorable experience June 23 when they flew on a whirlwind 24-hour trip to Washington, DC on the 50th Space Coast Honor Flight mission.
Bob was one of 25 WWII, Korean and Vietnam war veterans selected for the trip along with 25 “guardians” who accompanied each veteran. Bob chose to bring his friend Art as his guardian but volunteer guardians are available at no cost to the veteran. In fact, the entire trip……flights and meals are provided free of charge.
Pictured above at the send-off celebration are, from left to right, Lodge members Darlene Short, Art Short, Phil Weiler, Bob Deniger and Melody Gabriel.
The day started with a big send-off celebration in Melbourne from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. attended by 250 amazing volunteers from surrounding communities and Patrick AFB. The bus taking the group to Orlando Airport was escorted by two police cars with flashing lights and 20 motorcycles driven by volunteer riders. Arriving at the airport, the vets were again applauded by many volunteers and passengers. At the Baltimore airport it was more of the same. Greetings by volunteers and passengers and a fast police escort to DC on a bus by-passing all the traffic.
Bob and Art take a break in the action.
Highlights of the day were visits to the numerous monuments and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then it was back on the bus, back to Baltimore and the flight home. Bob and Art were both very moved by greetings and applause at the Orlando airport when they exited the jetway.
Bob and Art at the Welcome Home celebration.
Bob, a four-year Navy veteran who served during the Korean war, was a petty officer in a jet fighter squadron responsible for aircraft maintenance both on land and aboard carriers. He had this to say about his Honor Flight experience, “I highly recommend that veterans consider making this trip. Seeing Washington, the monuments and memorials were the highlight. All the volunteers who made the experience happen were outstanding and enjoyable to be with, especially my “guardian” Art Short. I have never seen such wonderful organization on the part of all the volunteers. As we passed through the airports going and coming we were greeted and treated as heroes. What an exciting, as well as humbling experience that I will never forget.”
Bob and Art with the oldest veteran Ed Kydd on the Honor Flight. Ed is one month short of 102.
Art, a four-year Army veteran, served in Vietnam for a nearly a year assigned to avionics. About being Bob’s guardian on this trip, Art said, “I was honored that Bob included me in this remarkable day as his guardian.” Art thought the most emotional part of the trip was walking through the airports with so many people clapping, wanting to shake hands and small children walking up with their hands reached out to shake. He said that when they got to the Korean War Veterans Memorial there was a misty fog lying just above the heads of the soldier statues causing an eerie (ghostly) feeling. He said the best experience of the day was being able to share this with another veteran and a friend.
The Vero Beach Elks Lodge would like to encourage any veterans to apply for a Space Coast Honor Flight. Five flights a year for 25 veterans, their guardians and 6 staff are scheduled. Our Lodge member Phil Weiler is director of operations for the trips. It takes about two years to be selected from the list with preference right now being given to WWII vets. If interested, go to spacecoasthonorflight.org for further information and an application. When you see them at the Lodge, Bob and Art would be happy to tell you all about their experiences too. Bob can be reached at 772-713-6953 or bikey114@att.net.
