Millions of people regularly travel to Washington D.C. to see the National WWII Memorial. And yet, sadly, many of the veterans this memorial celebrates don’t have resources to make that trip. I feel strongly that they should have the opportunity to experience the respect and admiration embodied in the memorial. 

So, with that in mind, in April of 2012, I got involved in Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing veterans to visit the WWII memorial in Washington D.C. Fortunately, I was able to fill a need for a photographer to capture these men and women during their journey to the nation’s capital to glimpse this monumental tribute to their service.

My grandfather was a WWII veteran, and I wanted to do something and give back to the Greatest Generation. This desire became even more urgent after I learned that WWII veterans are dying at a rate of more than 600 per day; and that there are veterans on Honor Flight’s waiting lists who have passed before they were chosen to go.  The organization’s director told me that Honor Flight Kern County’s inaugural trip would launch the following month, on May 25, 2012 (Memorial Weekend).

I showed up at 4:15 a.m. on May 25, 2012 at the Bakersfield airport, for Honor Flight Kern County’s inaugural trip. I didn’t know exactly what to expect. But I was excited to lend my support and photography skills.  About 100 people from the community showed up this early Friday morning. The mayor of Bakersfield, civic and community leaders, the Boy Scouts, family members, friends, the Bakersfield High School Wrestling team along with all of the Bakersfield press gathered to send off our veterans. Most of the veterans and their families seemed nervous. I introduced myself and started taking pictures (it was a nice way for them to start getting to know me).  I was there to capture whatever happened over the next three days.

We then strode out onto to the tarmac to where our plane was waiting. The onlookers were cheering from the airport windows and bridges as our 18 veterans and 20 guardians loaded onto the plane. And then we were off, after receiving a water canon salute that drenched our plane as we taxied onto the runway.

The captain came over the loud speaker, “Welcome aboard Veterans, it’s my honor to fly you to your destination this morning.” Our flight would take us from Bakersfield to Baltimore. As soon as the seatbelt light was turned off, I was busy taking pictures of our Honor Flight veterans and the flight crew. When we landed in Baltimore and exited the plane, hundreds of people lined the walkways and cheered with American flags. The hero’s welcome continued all the way to the exit of the concourse. There were service men and women shaking hands with our veterans and thanking them for their service. I couldn’t help but cry when I saw the gratitude people felt toward these heroes. I wiped my eyes and continued to shoot. I followed them down the concourse as strangers stopped what they were doing and clapped.

The following day we visited the WWII Memorial. Majority Whip and California Congressmen Kevin McCarthy hosted a lunch for the Veterans at the memorial. Visitors to the WWII Memorial  walked up to our veterans and thanked them for their service and sacrifice. The veterans were visibly moved. One vet, who told me he came home after his tour and didn’t really think about what happened during the war, described feeling humbled by all the attention. The WWII Memorial brought out emotions that he didn’t know he had. He sobbed as a visitor came over to thank him.  “This world would have been a very different place if you hadn’t done what you did. Thank you for you service, sir,” said the visitor. The veterans relived their memories about storming the beaches of Normandy. One of the veterans was in Iwo Jima when the flag was raised.

During my last trip to Washington D.C., as a 4th grader on school trip, I remember seeing the memorials and not fully understanding what they stood for. Coming back as an adult with these Veterans has given me greater appreciation for the heroes who have made this country what it is today.  After leaving the WWII Memorial, we visited the U.S. Capitol building, Vietnam & Korean Memorial, Air Force, Iwo Jima, Arlington National Cemetery and Fort McHenry (quite an extensive itinerary for anyone, much less an 80-90 year old). When we finally returned to the plane on the third day, the guys were exhausted. So was I.

The flight home held another surprise: “mail call.” Dozens of personalized letters from family, active military and school children were given to each veteran. The looks on their faces brought tears again to my eyes. Many veterans wanted to share their letters with me and I obliged with a click of a button. The half smiles and the tears told me everything I needed to know.  One of my main goals on each Honor Flight is to make sure that I get a great portrait of each veteran.

We landed in Bakersfield. And after saying our goodbyes, we walked the quiet hall back to the main terminal where hundreds of people awaited to welcome our heroes home. Again my eyes welled up. But this was their final mission and I needed to capture what I was seeing. When I finally got home that evening, I was able to reflect on how very proud I am to be an American; and how lucky I am to have been a small part of this amazing service. I have since been on three additional Honor Flights, with another coming at the end of October. I hope continue to be part of Honor Flight as long as they will have me.

Note: On my trip in June 1, 2013 one of our Veterans, Sargent Raymond Webber was hospitalized once we reached Baltimore. He never saw his memorial and sadly didn’t make it home.  The flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol that day was given to Mr. Webber’s family after it had also been flown at the National WWII Memorial.