Honor Flight Columbus completes 136th D.C. trip for veterans, over 10,000 vets flown

The ticketing station at John Glenn Columbus International Airport resembled anything but a typical night on Thursday.

Around 2,000 people thronged the airport with patriotic signs and banners, waiting to welcome home 92 veterans who served in World War II , the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as they disembarked from a visit to Washington, D.C.

The returning veterans arrived to a jubilant crowd as they entered what volunteers called "The Gauntlet"— a 500-foot cordoned-off walkway for them to walk through.

To the somber tune of bagpipes, most of the veterans walked, waved, and shook hands with fellow vets and war buddies as they made their way down the pathway. Some were pushed along in their wheelchairs, donning war memorabilia proudly displaying when and where they served and the numerous badges and medals they earned in their military career.

And the trip was thanks to an organization founded by an Air Force veteran.

Honor Flight Columbus is a nonprofit organization that takes U.S. veterans on free trips to Washington to visit the various war memorials. The veterans visited The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and witnessed The Changing of the Guard.

Donations from businesses, foundations, school organizations, and private individuals fund the organization.

This year's cohort of veterans set a milestone as this flight consisted of 92 veterans and marked the organization's 136th mission, or flight, that they provided to veterans. The organization has provided free flights to over 10,000 veterans since its inception in May 2005.

"It's a tiny way for us to say thank you," said Jason Black, who serves as board chairman for Honor Flight Columbus.

Rodney Ellis, who volunteers as a ground crew leader for Honor Flight, went on the trip in June on the same day as the 40th anniversary of his enlistment date in the U.S. Navy. He served with the advanced electronics crew for seven years.

"A lot of the vets come back and say it was the best thing they ever did," said Ellis. "It's not too often (veterans) get to sit next to other men who went through the same things that they did."

For some veterans, especially those who served in the Vietnam War, their return home to thousands of people clapping, cheering, and thanking them for their service is a long time coming, according to 80-year-old Gerald Rea, who served as a combat medic.

"The gratitude of people now brings a lot of emotion. It's the complete opposite of when we came back home all those years ago," Rea recalled at the event. Due to the unpopularity and widespread opposition to the war, Vietnam veterans faced heavy scrutiny and hostility when they returned home.

Protests broke out across U.S. college campuses, opposing both the war and the mandatory draft. On their return, veterans didn't receive any fanfare or parades, and some Vietnam veterans recalled having to change clothes in the airport bathroom when they returned so strangers wouldn't know they served.

Rea said that if it had not been for organizations like Honor Flight Columbus, a trip to Washington D.C. for himself and other veterans would have been difficult, if not completely impossible, mainly due to financial reasons or physical limitations because of age.

While some veterans simply enjoyed the trip, it was life-changing for others, like Joe Shuman, 65. Shuman served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Puffer from 1977 to 1983 and suffered from mental health issues for 40 years in connection with his service. A teacher from one of his kids' middle school told him about Columbus Honor Flight and had him fill out an application.

He visited Washington with Honor Flight Columbus in 2023 and never looked back.

"I was blown away by the whole experience," Shuman said.

Soon after his trip, he began volunteering with Columbus Honor Flights and helped with the 2024 trip to Washington. Since going on the trip himself and volunteering his time to help create that same experience for other veterans, he said his mental health has improved dramatically.

"My depression is disappearing because of this," said Shuman.

How can a veteran go on a trip to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight Columbus?

Veterans interested in going on a trip to participate in the Honor Flight Columbus must be at least 65 years old and must have served on full-time active duty or 20 years in the guard or reserves.

Those eligible can fill out an application on the Honor Flight Columbus website. World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans and terminally ill veterans have priority selection. The trip is free for qualifying veterans.

How can I volunteer with Honor Flight Columbus?

Anyone interested in volunteering with Honor Flight Columbus can apply at the organization's website.

Volunteers are needed for everything from administrative tasks to fundraising, as well as the ground crew and guardians accompanying veterans on the trip.

Honor Flight Columbus has over a dozen volunteer groups, including the ground crew, in-office prep, mail call, and media teams.

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Honor Flight Columbus completes 136th D.C. trip for veterans, over 10,000 vets flown