US Honor Flight program comes to Holmes County
Holmes County Honor Flight is being headed up by Richard Guess, a Millersburg American Legion Post #192 member. Guess has experienced the many memories created by Honor Flight and said it was an endearing and meaningful moment in his life.
The Honor Flight Network program, available to all U.S. veterans, has one main priority — to show gratitude for the sacrifices and service of America’s veterans and help heal the wounds that never healed by giving the veterans the VIP treatment on a flight to the nation’s capital.
Thanks to a concerted effort, the Honor Flight program is now coming to Holmes County.
Craig Lawhead, Millersburg American Legion Post #192 commander, Richard Guess, Legion member and Holmes County Honor Flight organizer, and Wes Maxwell, Millersburg Eagles Club manager, were excited to talk about an Honor Flight program that has been honoring U.S. veterans for nearly two decades.
Guess, who recently transferred his Legion membership from Coshocton to Millersburg, has done all of the paperwork to make Millersburg an official Honor Flight sponsor that can take applications for this historic trip to Washington, D.C.
The Honor Flight transports veterans to the nation’s capital, where they tour many of the monuments, memorials and proceedings and, most importantly, fellowship together as a band of brothers who have served the national faithfully.
“Honor Flights are first class all the way, and it’s something every veteran should experience,” Guess said, adding that the trip's emotional impact is immense.
The flights take place from May through November. Each Honor Flight is filled with veterans and their traveling partners.
According to Guess, all the people involved, from the pilots and flight attendants to the partners who travel with the veterans, do so as volunteers.
“There’s no out-of-pocket expenses for the veterans,” Guess said. “All the travel, snacks, drinks, meals — it’s all free. I’ve traveled a lot, and this is probably one of the best, most well-organized events I’ve ever participated in.”
According to Guess, the Honor Flight originated around 18 years ago when the focus was on getting World War II veterans to the nation’s capital. As World War II veterans became fewer, the door was opened to invite any veteran to apply for the trip.
Now, as a sponsor of Honor Flight, the Millersburg Legion can offer veterans the flight of a lifetime. It is open to any veteran, and being a member of the Legion is not a requirement.
“All our veterans have to do is stop by the Legion and let us know they’d like to go on an Honor Flight,” Guess said. “We have all of the paperwork that goes to Columbus, Ohio.”
Because Holmes County hasn’t been an Honor Flight sponsor before, Lawhead said the county hasn’t been heavily recruited for the program.
“It’s an incredible, memorable experience that every veteran should take,” Lawhead said. “Our veterans won’t be disappointed because it is such a meaningful trip.”
Guess added that one of the more important aspects of the trip is that it allows every veteran to share their experiences and memories with other veterans who have had similar life experiences.
“A lot of our veterans don’t like to open up and talk about their service time with just anyone,” Guess said. “It’s special to visit with those who have been through it and shared that same story of serving their country, some of them during some terrible wars.”
While the memories created while visiting the monuments and memorials in Washington and the fellowship with other veterans are invaluable, Guess said, like many others who take the Honor Flight, the homecoming creates perhaps the most genuine feeling of love and acceptance, especially for one particular group.
“Our Vietnam veterans who came home were not welcomed home at all,” Guess said. “There were protests, and people were angry at them for serving their country, which is extremely unfair. Because of that, many of the Vietnam veterans don’t talk about their experience there, but this trip is different because upon their arrival back home, they are greeted by a huge group of well-wishers who thank them for their service. It’s really special.”
While Honor Flights leave from Columbus early in the morning, Lawhead said the Sons of the American Legion extend an additional thank you by paying for hotel rooms there for veterans who need to stay overnight before the trip.
Anyone with questions or who wants to sign up for an Honor Flight can stop by the Legion in Millersburg or contact any of the three men at 330-674-8923.
Qualifying veterans must be 65 years of age or older.
American Legion Post #192 is located at 264 W. Jackson St. in Millersburg.