One Last Mission: WWII Heroes Visit D.C. on Dow Texas Operations Honor Flight
There are events we experience in our lives that leave such a profound impact that their effect lasts forever.
For 74 Dow retirees who are also World War II veterans, September 27, 2010, was one of those unforgettable days – thanks to the Dow Texas Operations Honor Flight.
The all-expenses-paid trip took off from the Gulf Coast Regional Airport and flew non-stop to the nation’s capital where veterans visited the World War II Memorial built in their honor, many for the first time. The group of travelers also included 43 Dow employees who are veterans or active military who were honored to serve as hosts to the WWII vets during the trip.
“I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to visit the World War II Memorial with this group of America’s Greatest Generation,” said Gary Hockstra, vice president and site leader of Texas Operations. “These men fought for our liberty and our freedom. What we have, what we enjoy and what we so often take for granted is because of them. If they feel half as proud as I feel, then this trip was well worth all the time and effort put into making it a success.”
The tour of Washington, D.C., took the group to the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Lincoln and Korean Memorials, the Air Force and Marine Corps memorials and Arlington National Cemetery – in one event-packed day. A very special highlight of the tour occurred at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when four of the vets laid a wreath minutes before the changing of the guard.
“The day was perfect from start to finish,” added Hockstra. “The rain that greeted us as we left the airplane and boarded buses was not enough to dampen our spirits. Except for our rain ponchos we temporarily used at our first stop, none of our veterans showed any sign of being hindered. Their excitement kept us all inspired.”
More than 700 family members, friends and Dow employee volunteers attended a Welcome Home Reception at the airport in Angleton in anticipation of the plane’s landing. With more than 75 Dow employees selflessly volunteering their time on Sunday and Monday, the Welcome Home Reception was an emotionally charged success for the deserving veterans and their families.
To commemorate the trip, hundreds of photographs were taken throughout the day and evening, and a Facebook page was established to help family and friends follow the Honor Flight participants’ experience throughout the day. To view and order photos of the event, visit www.flickr.com/photos/dowchemical/
About Honor Flight
Honor Flight was founded in 2005 by Erwin “Earl” Morse, a retired Air Force Captain and physician’s assistant. It is the mission of Honor Flight to fly America’s WWII veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge, to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. Honor Flight has flown thousands of WWII veterans to Washington, D.C., for this purpose. More information about Honor Flight can be found at www.honorflight.org.