Lewisville Morning Rotarian volunteers for Honor Flight DFW

Posted by Marilyn Pokorny

on Oct 18, 2012

Lewisville Morning Rotarian volunteers for Honor Flight DFW

Last Friday & Saturday (Oct. 13 & Oct 14) Rotarian Bob Schell served as a volunteer Guardian for Honor Flight 10 to Washington DC. Bob served as guardian for Col. Loren Keefe who is 88 years old, soon to be 89. Served in the China/Burma/India theater. Was a photographer and machine gunner on a B-25 and flew 51 missions. After the war he completed his education and was called up for the Korean War. He retired after serving for 30 years as a full coronal.

Honor Flight is a network of volunteers formed for the express purpose of getting as many WWII Veterans as possible to Washington, DC to view the World War II Memorial. Honor Flight™ was originally set up in 2004 by Earl Morse, a physician's assistant from Ohio. Honor Flight™ DFW (HFDFW) was established in September 2008 to bring this wonderful effort to the Dallas/Ft Worth/North Texas area. To date, Honor Flight DFW has flown 303 WWII veterans to Washington, DC.

The all expense paid, overnight trip to Washington, DC includes visits to: WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Marine (Iwo Jima), Navy and Air Force Memorials and Arlington Cemetery. In addition to visiting the memorials, HFDFW has had the rare opportunity to visit Walter Reed Hospital, where the veterans meet with the wounded warriors and military staff. It is an incredible encounter as both groups express gratitude toward each other – it is a brotherhood like no other.

Each veteran is assigned a Guardian to ensure his/her safety. Additionally, a team of volunteer medical professionals travel with each flight. The Guardians and medical personnel pay their own expenses .

For more information on Honor Flight go to: Honor Flight DFW Website

Donations are always welcome.