Member Set to Attend Honor Flight as Guardian

The Honor Flight of the Quad Cities announced its 52nd Honor Flight to Washington D.C. will take place on Tuesday, April 12, with three additional flights scheduled in 2022. Last weekend, we donated the use of the Union Hall for the Honor Flight’s orientation event, and we’re proud to have brother Don Rosenberry attend as a guardian for his brother, Joe Rosenberry, and another community member, Arlyn Helke.

 

 

“At the orientation, they said the act of veterans getting together and sharing common experiences helps them open up to their own families about things they experienced but might never have about before,” Don said.

A Local 25 member for 32 years before he retired, Don previously supported the Honor Flight with donations through his local car club, which helped send other Local 25 members and friends on their trip of a lifetime. Now, he’s excited to share the experience with his brother.

“It’s a big deal. When these veterans get on the airplane, they get letters from school kids thanking them for their service,” Don said. “Not being a veteran myself, I’m kind of on the outside looking in, but I had a lot of friends and family who served our country and I like to do what I can to thank them for the sacrifices they made. My brother and I are looking forward to seeing the World War II memorial because we have an uncle who was killed during the war.”

More than 90 veterans and 60 volunteer guardians are set to attend the day-long visit to our nation’s capital next week. The flights for each veteran are free, thanks to generous donations.

Don encourages anyone who has time to make it to the Quad Cities International Airport on the evening of Tuesday, April 12, to give the veterans a special welcome home — something many Korean and Vietnam war vets didn’t get in their day.

Our Local has long been a supporter of the Honor Flight, most recently hosting our annual Veterans Bags Tournament in the fall with funds donated in support of local veterans. Stay tuned for details on our 2022 event after the summer!

Interested in supporting the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities? Make a donation through Birdies for Charity (which maximizes your donation with an additional bonus of at least 5%) or visit HonorFlightQC.org/Donations/Make-Gift for details.