Six staff members from the Lubbock VA Clinic volunteered to participate in the Texas South Plains Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., June 1-3.
The Texas South Plains Honor Flight completed its 11th mission this year. Their mission is to provide the trip of a lifetime to South Plains Veterans by taking them on an all-expense paid trip to our nation’s capital and see the monuments and memorials built in honor of their service to our country.
“After a year of planning, it’s so awesome to see the smiles and hear the stories from our Veterans,” said Angela Allen, Education Service. “Every year, our team comes home from the flight saying, ‘Man, this was the best trip ever,’ and this year was no different.”
Veterans visit celebrated sites
Over the course of three days, the Veterans were able to view many sites, including the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial; the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Memorials; Arlington National Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
“For some of our Vietnam Veterans, it is a chance to heal decades-old wounds and create relationships with other Veterans who shared similar experiences. It fills my heart to be able to volunteer with the Honor Flight that honors Veterans in this unique way,” Allen shared.
This year, the Texas South Plains Honor Flight took 11 Korean War Veterans and 74 Vietnam Veterans. They were accompanied by 40 guardians who assisted with wheelchairs to ensure Veteran safety and 18 staff members who oversee coordination, safety and logistics of the trip.
The National Honor Flight Network is 100% volunteer and donation driven to provide Veterans with this amazing opportunity.
“I come from a large family of Veterans, including my twin sons,” said Rieta Starnes, nurse at the Lubbock VA Clinic. “I did not serve in the military, so this is how I serve—being a nurse with VA and helping give our Veteran’s the trip of a lifetime.”
