“What a shame. No victory.” Vietnam veteran, Ron Hayward, had shared with WOODTV8 reporter, Amber Krycka, as they stood next to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. Seventy-five mid Michigan soldiers, including three women, had been invited to attend an Honor Flight. These veterans were able to pay their respects to their fallen comrades and find some healing as they joined together to remember their life chapter of serving our country. “A lot of young men paid the ultimate price for a war that no one understands. Then come back and get spit on.” Ron Hayward shook his head.
With the hope of giving these soldiers’ a proper homecoming, my brother, Bill Meade, had invited me to participate in the welcoming rally at the Gerald R. Ford airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I had only carried distant knowledge of these Honor Flights, but witnessing the decades disappear from the faces of our servicemen and women as they came down the concourse has been sealed on my soul. Bill’s wife, Rita, and son, Josh, were among the hundreds who had come out to honor these service men and women. Join us as we greet our mid Michigan military!
Anticipation
Smiles, signs and flags had wrapped the halls of the Gerald R. Ford airport
as if this was a giant present waiting to be opened.
My brother, Bill, had been on the excursion as an escort with Vietnam veteran, Jim VanDyke. Jim’s journey had included finding his friend’s name, Mauricio Mendez, on the Memorial wall.
Jim VanDyke
“My best friend. That’s why I’m here.” Jim VanDyke explained to reporter, Amber from WOODTV8, who had joined the two day trip. “My best friend from Vietnam is on that wall.” Emotion had caught in Jim’s voice. “When I saw him die in front of me, . . . I . . . uh,” Jim stumbled over syllables trying to articulate, “I still have a hard time even today.”
Photo Credit: Bill Meade used by WOODTV8
“To see his initials on that wall and have me there scribing them. . . Wow. . . That was just amazing. The feeling that you get.” Jim had shared with Amber. As a civilian I can not even grasp the feeling of touching something permanent which represents one’s friend, Mauricio Mendez. His name etched in granite continues to hold onto a life that had been taken too soon.
Standing at the wall, Amber turned her microphone to others. “Heartbreak.” veteran Allen Wheeler shook his head, “I lost one of my friends.” Another veteran had stated, “It gives me a little bit of closure.”
Standing together, as one, the veterans stood alongside their comrades’ names and broke into song.
“We will fight our country’s battles in air, on land and sea. . . ” This had been a pinnacle moment for the group.
The Arrival
as they made their way through the cheering crowd.
The Reception
The receiving line had wound through the airport hallways to a room decorated for the reception! It was for the soldiers, their families and the escorts. Rita and I could hear laughter, singing and names being called as we waited in the lobby.
Later Bill had explained that the gathering had included the singing of The Star Spangled Banner followed by mail call. On military posts during wartime soldiers would gather with anticipation as an orderly would call out names and distribute letters received from family and friends back home. During this ceremony each service person had been given a personally sewn quilt and a stuffed bear.
Bill texted Rita and I to join him at the end of the reception. I was about to be helpful by stacking chairs when I saw WWII veteran, Robert Holt. I wanted to shake his hand!
Robert “Bob” Holt – WWII Veteran
Photo Credit: Mid Michigan Honor Flight Facebook Page
Robert “Bob” Holt, 106 year old WWII veteran, had been on this Honor Flight. Holt had served in Germany. During his first mission, Holt’s truck had hit a landmine and he had been thrown from the vehicle. Without broken bones, he climbed to his feet and prepared for the next action. From one battle to the next, Bob continued to serve his country.
“Eighty years ago, I didn’t think I’d be doing all this.” Bob Holt had said when interviewed by Amber. “I had been in combat and everything. Mines. Machine guns. I had it all in my combat days.”
Moment to moment, these men and women had to be brave and face incoming threats, never knowing what the results would be. These circumstances have formed a unique kinship that the civilian world, unable to comprehend, will be forever grateful.
For me our meeting had been a cherished juncture in time.
Speaking about the Honor Flight and reception Bob Holt had said, “I can’t explain it. It’s all a surprise to me.”
Where Had They Gotten ALL These Quilts?
I had been so touched by this experience that as soon as I had gotten home I organized my stash of patriotic material in order to begin constructing quilt designs. Then, I went on online to the Mid Michigan Honor Flights Facebook page and inquired about the size needed for these gifts. Kathy messaged me back in moments. “There’s been an overwhelming generosity of so many quilters since last June, we plan to stop taking donations of lap quilts. . . Once the inventory comes down to 150, I will post a request for more lap quilts with the dimensions of 40″ X 32″.” Kathy offered to add me to their email list, which I promptly agreed!
So who had made ALL these quilts? Donations have come from groups all over Michigan! Just last month on April 20th many Upper Peninsula quilting groups had gathered to display their stunning masterpieces before donating the sum of 125 carefully stitched blankets. The colorful patterns fairly danced, filling every seat in the church!
I continue to marvel at the hours of dedication these gifts of love have taken.
Thank you to the talented groups: The Keeping Piece Quilt Guild, The Quilted Moose and Friends, Sault St. Marie, MI, Les Cheneaux Quilt Guild, Sewers & Quilts of EUP, Members at Large Organizing Chapter Daughters of American Revolution in EUP Veterans Service.
SHHH! I have secretly ordered some “perfectly patriotic” material and will begin creating some “WARM HUGS” in the form of quilted lap blankets for our upcoming Honor Flights. With my limited skill set, I feel it takes me longer to produce a quilt. I figure, when Kathy posts the need for some donations, I will have a few ready.
Bernard Corning
Photo Credit: WOODTV8
There had been so many meaningful stories about this Honor Flight. One touching tale had been about Richard Corning who had escorted his father, Bernard. Richard had commented about really getting to know his Dad on this trip, because while growing up, “He didn’t talk about the war. He didn’t talk about his service.” With blurry eyes Bernard had said, “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, other than my family.”
Ponderings
As our military men and women had come off the plane, I watched the decades disappear in their eyes. Giving them the “Welcome Home” they have long deserved had been precious. These moments will be carried in my heart all my remaining days. As Bill Meade later said, “It cannot be explained, it has to be experienced.”
Related Links:
For a list of Honor Flights please go to the “Honor Flight Network,” a national organization website Monetary donations are accepted at this site as well.
Resources:
Bill Meade, retired Battalion Chief of the Kentwood Fire Department
Mid Michigan Honor Flight Inc Facebook page
WoodTV News story by Amber Krycka and her team
One thought on “Mid Michigan Honor Flight”
My brother in Marquette got to go on an Honor Flight last month. He said it was very moving. He was a medic in Viet Nam. He said he only knew 2 names on the wall, but he had been involved with about a hundred listed there. He just didn’t know their names.