31 Vietnam Vets To Receive 'Long Overdue Recognition' On Honor Flight

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The nation's heroes will once again be able to see the honors bestowed upon them firsthand.

Honor Flight Long Island, a volunteer-run veterans’ organization, announced that its spring flight to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Saturday, May 3.

The flight will take 45 Long Island veterans to visit their military memorials, meet with service branch representatives, and share heartbreak, pride, and stories with fellow veterans.

Honor Flight’s mission has long been to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the United States Armed Forces to preserve the nation's freedoms, by providing free, one-day trips so they can visit the memorials in Washington, DC.

Bill Jones of Southampton, president of Honor Flight Long Island, reflected: "Our Spring Flight includes 31 Vietnam War veterans who will receive long overdue recognition, and thanks for their service."

He added that they would be accompanied on the flight by 14 elder comrades, veterans of the Korean War.

"What this flight really represents is a 'big hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible," Jones said.

Jones is a U.S. Army veteran and West Point 1972 graduate.

Southampton Town officials will attend, too.

"Honor Flight Long Island is honored to have Southampton Town officials on our flight, who will serve as guardians for our veterans," Jones said, noting that the officials include Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker, also a former Southampton Town trustee; Theresa Kiernan, Southampton Town tax receiver; and Marietta Seaman, former Southampton town clerk.

"Southampton Town has supported Honor Flight since its inception in 2007, and we are enormously grateful for its support," he added.

A second major donation from the Hicksville Veterans Association to Honor Flight Long Island will pay for the cost of all veterans on the flight, organizers said.

According to Vinny Morreale, chairman of the Hicksville Veterans Association and a Vietnam veteran: “10 of our members were honored by an Honor Flight in the Spring of 2022 and were overwhelmed by the experience. We are so proud and delighted to sponsor this May 3 flight for our fellow veterans."

At the request of the Association, the flight is designated In honor of Jamie Bowden, "the magician who puts these flights together, and her dad, Vietnam Veteran, Gary Cunningham, USMC 1964-1968," organizers said. "Jamie proudly served as her dad’s guardian on the Spring 2022 flight."

Jones said Honor Flight Long Island was humbled by the generous donation. "Thank you, Vinny and your members; this donation means a lot in our continuing mission to honor Long Island’s veterans," he said.

Thanks to Honor Flight, the 45 veterans will take a free, early-morning Southwest flight to Washington, DC. Departing from Islip MacArthur Airport at 10:50 a.m., veterans and their guardians will visit the Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard, plus the Air Force and Iwo Jima Memorials and possibly other sites of interest.

Veterans will return to Islip that evening at 10:55 p.m., for a "rousing welcome" by the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band, plus applause from family, friends and supporters, organizers said.

There is no organized ceremony planned, but all are invited to come and welcome veterans at MacArthur Airport; the suggested arrival time for supporters who wish to participate, is at 9:55 p.m., one hour prior to the veterans' return flight returning to Islip at 10:55 p.m.

At the "Ceremony of Honors," each veteran will receive a personalized tribute journal full of photos taken during the DC trip.The event includes speeches by HFLI President Jones and AAM President Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular patriotic medley known as the "Armed Forces Salute," featuring the six official musical themes of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air and Space Forces, and Coast Guard.

Free refreshments for all will be provided by Honor Flight.

Veterans can sign up on the waiting list for future Honor Flights to Washington, DC, by clicking here and submitting an application.

"You’ll fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. You’ll be accompanied by guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400 (tax deductible) to offset travel costs," organizers said. "Honor Flight has a cohort of volunteers ready to step up for the privilege of escorting our heroes to DC."

Anyone with questions should contact Jamie Bowden at 631-702-2423 or by emailing JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.

And that's not all: A Veterans Reunion is planned for Saturday, August 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Airpower Museum, Hangar 3, located at 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale.

AAM opens at 10:30 a.m. and everyone is encouraged to come early and enjoy the exhibits before and after the reunion.

For information about AAM, call 631-293-6398 or email www.americanairpowermuseum.org.

"Our great patriotic reunions are always free and open to the public!" organizers said.