Photos: Honor Takes Flight
Leatherstocking Honor Flight was held at Albany International Airport last Saturday to send some Veterans down to Washington D.C. for the day.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
In the dark before daybreak on Saturday, bikes from the Patriot Guard Riders rest outside the Albany International Airport. The Riders escorted veterans to a send-off ceremony before they boarded a plane to Washington, D.C. to see monuments honoring them
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Eager to see some American heroes: Schuyler Riedell, 9, of Latham dressed in her Saint Pius uniform, waves two American flags as veterans enter the airport.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Strike up the band: The Cobleskill-Richmondville Band plays patriotic songs, along with the anthems for each branch of the military.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Young members of the military reserves salute the flag while the Cobleskill-Richmondville Band plays “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Big Donation: Steve Oliver and Richard Perras from the Helderberg American Legion Riders, at top, give a $15,000 check to the head of the Leatherstocking Honor Flight, which will sponsor the next flight to D.C. in the spring. The money was raised largely from donated bottles and cans.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Past Chief Kevin Fronk from the Latham Fire Department, bottom right, salutes each veteran who comes up the escalator to leave for the daylong event. One veteran returns the salute.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Showing her support: Kelly McGill, from Westerlo, holds up a handmade sign as veterans file by for a ceremony before they left for Washington, D.C. early Saturday morning.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Patriotic oink: Bacon Bits, a therapy pig at Albany International Airport, was on hand for the Leatherstocking Honor Flight Saturday morning in Colonie.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Local hero: Guilderland resident Bernard Yuhas, center, sits next to his daughter, right, before the start of the send-off ceremony Saturday morning at Albany International Airport. Richard Godlewski was the other Guilderland resident to make the trip to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments honoring veterans.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Standing at attention: Members of the American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard Riders, Red Knights, and Blue Knights surround veterans at Saturday’s send-off ceremony.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
“All Americans are charged to remember our veterans,” says Lieutenant Colonel Marlin Williams during the send-off ceremony at Albany’s airport Saturday.