To the Editor:

On Saturday, Sept. 20, at approximately 5:45 a.m., 40 World War II and nine Korean War heroes, wearing their Patriot Flight shirts and accompanied by a guardian, usually a family member, streamed into Christian Brothers Academy in Colonie.  For them, it was the beginning of a journey of a lifetime.  They were on their way to spend the day touring the monuments that have been dedicated in their honor in Washington, D.C.

These heroes were checked in and given a nametag and a travel bag filled with an assortment of goodies for their daylong journey.  They were then escorted over to sign their names on a Patriot Flight Flag in tribute of their special day.

With the assistance of the Blue Star Mothers, CBA Cadets and Sergeant First Class Leslie, our veteran heroes were led into the gymnasium through a flag line consisting of Patriot Guard Riders, members of the American Legion, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association , CBA Cadets, Veterans of Foreign Wars veterans, and the Sprit of America Color Guard.  All eagerly awaited the start of the send-off ceremony honoring these special heroes. 

Our master of ceremonies, Colonel Richard L. Goldenberg, welcomed everyone for coming and introduced our heroes.  The national anthem was sung by Patriot Guard Rider member Martin Kaiser followed by the invocation given by Brother Robert Francis Matthews.  The guest speakers were Congressman Paul Tonko and Assemblyman John McDonald followed by keynote speaker New York Army National Guard Colonel John Andonie.

Patriot Guard Rider member Bob Smith led the audience in singing “God Bless America” as our special heroes and their guardians were escorted to the waiting buses for transportation to the airport. 

The buses loaded with our precious cargo were led by a motorcycle escort consisting of the Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders, and Combat Veterans, as well as other motorcycle organizations to Albany International Airport.  With the Yankee Doodle Band playing in the background as well as a Spirit of America Soloist singing in the baggage check-in area, our heroes were escorted through a flag line and security as quickly as possible and on to the waiting plane. 

By 9:10 a.m., our heroes were receiving the same special treatment in Baltimore, Maryland as they did when they departed from Albany. They were greeted by members of our sister Honor Flight Hub known as the Honor Flight Network Ground Crew, the Honor Flight Motorcycle Guard, assisting the members of our Maryland Chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders, and a contingent of active duty Marines, and Army and Army National Guard and Air Force volunteers.  Three of these military servicemen — two from the Air Force and one Marine — accompanied our heroes on their journey throughout the day, which they enjoyed very much.

It was the old guard with the new guard, lots of stories from both sides and a mutual respect for each other.  During the bus ride to Washington, the group enjoyed a box lunch and the veterans talked among themselves.

Once in Washington, the heroes visited the World War II Memorial.  Upon arriving at the memorial, our heroes were able to meet Senator Bob Dole and his wife, Elizabeth.   It was quite an unexpected, but much appreciated, surprise for our heroes who rushed right over and lined up to meet Mr. Dole, shake his hand, and pose for a photo.

Following their meeting with Mr. Dole, each one of our heroes was presented with a specially minted Patriot Flight Challenge Coin by one of the military volunteers; afterward, a group photo was taken in front of the Wall of Stars and the veterans were then given an hour to explore the monument on their own.

Next we traveled to the Korean War, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials.  The tour concluded at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the heroes witnessed the changing of the guard and two very solemn wreath-placing ceremonies.

After a full day of sightseeing, our heroes, once again, boarded the buses, around 5:30 p.m., for the long ride back to Baltimore.  Along the way, their bus captains, Bill Schaaf and Ray Sestak, announced mail call just as when they were in the service — one more memory to add to their growing list.

Each hero received a large envelope filled with cards, letters, photos, and drawings from loved ones, neighbors, veterans, schoolchildren, and many other special people; I don’t think there was a dry eye in the crowd.

Once back in Baltimore, they stopped at the Golden Corral for dinner.  Once again, these men and women were honored as heroes by the manager of the Golden Corral who asked the customers to stand and welcome our heroes as they marched into the restaurant.

At 10:35 p.m., a very tired but very excited group of 49 heroes arrived at Albany International Airport to a welcome home they did not expect.  The airport was filled with their loved ones, friends, neighbors, television news, and our dear Patriot Guard Riders with their flags welcoming home our returning heroes!

The night got even better for some of our heroes as a television reporter interviewed some of them. It amazes me that these veterans, our heroes, couldn’t believe that they were heroes.  They just kept saying, “We aren’t heroes; we were just doing our job.”

Lasting memories were not just for our heroes and guardians; it is for all our volunteers as well. It is an emotionally packed day to be with these awesome heroes.

My favorite memory started that morning when my personal hero and friend Joseph Albright reconnected with another hero on the flight, Robert Schmit Jr., a friend with whom he had gone to Elementary School 19 in Albany; Joe sold Bob his first bicycle 80 years ago. It was absolutely amazing that they found each other on this special day and were able to share this very special journey with each other! It was definitely a memory of a lifetime.

The end of the day was just as rewarding as the beginning for our heroes and our Patriot Flight Committee.  We, the Patriot Flight Committee, along with many other volunteers who were part of this amazing day were very much honored to have been able to help these 49 amazing, dedicated and courageous men and women create new friendships and special memories enough to last a lifetime. It was a living testimonial of love, appreciation, gratitude, and service.

If you are a World War II or Korean veteran or would like to become a volunteer guardian for a veteran on a future trip, and would like to join us on a journey of a lifetime, please go to our website at www.PatriotFlight.com. You will find all the information you need about the Patriot Flight, along with the application forms that can be printed out and sent back to us.

There is no cost to the veteran for this trip.  If you choose to bring a family member or friend or you wish to volunteer as a guardian, there is a fee of $350 to cover the expenses of the guardian.

Our heroes’ journey on Patriot Flight is made possible only through the generosity of friends like you. If you would like to make a donation to sponsor a hero on his or her journey, you can use the form provided on our website —  www.PatriotFlight.com —  or mail your donation to: Post Office Box 190, Delmar, NY 12054.  Each donation helps sponsor our heroes on their trip of a lifetime.

Darlene Stanton
Patriot Flight Director
New Scotland