American Airpower Museum To Host Honor Flight Veterans Reunion

The history and heritage behind Honor Flights is certainly something special, and the American Airpower Museum plans to honor that on August 5, 2023 when they co-host a patriotic reunion of 37 Vietnam, 2 WWII and 5 Korean War Veterans.  These veterans were on an honor flight to Washington D.C. back in April of 2023, and will again be honored when the American Airpower Museum hosts their upcoming event.  On Saturday, August 5, 2023 the museum’s Hangar 3 will be open to the public beginning at 10:30am.

The reunion portion of the event will run from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The American Airpower Museum (AAM) and Honor Flight Long Island will honor the attending veterans during the “Ceremony of Honors,” at which time each veteran will be presented with a “tribute journal” that includes an array of photo memories gathered during their trip to D.C.  The event will further include speeches by Honor Flight Long Island President, Bill Jones, and AAM President and Founder, Jeff Clyman.  The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will be in attendance and perform a selection of patriotic music.   Free cake, coffee, and refreshments will be enjoyed by all.

Honor Flight Long Island escorted all 44 veterans on an early morning flight to our nation’s capital on April 29, 2023.   Veterans and their guardians visited many memorials and monuments, including the WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery where they observed the “Changing of the Guard,” the Air Force Memorial, and the Iwo Jima Memorial.  Upon their return to ISP Long Island MacArthur Airport on the evening of the 29th of April, they were welcomed by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause by hundreds of family, friends, and supporters.

According to Bill Jones, Honor Flight LI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, “This special flight included 37 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service.  They were accompanied by seven elder comrades – two WWII and five Korean War veterans.  What this flight really represented was a ‘Big Hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible.”

AAM and Honor Flight Long Island encourage the public to make plans to attend this reunion, as they pay tribute to these very special veterans. Anyone from the general public arriving between 10:30 am and 12:00 pm will attend free of charge.  After, 12:00pm regular museum admission applies: museum members are free and non-members are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12, and free of charge for children 4 and under.  American Airpower Museum is located at 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY.  You can learn more about the event at www.americanairpowermuseum.com

Angela Decker

Angela Decker, from McPherson, Kansas, discovered her passion for aviation after earning a Master’s in Military History from Norwich University in 2011. Since 2012, she has volunteered with vintage aviation groups, excelling as a social media content creator and coordinator. Angela has coordinated aviation and WWII events, appeared as Rosie the Riveter, and is restoring a Stearman aircraft. She is the Operations Logistics Coordinator at CAF Airbase Georgia and an accountant with a degree in Economics from the University of Georgia. Her son, Caden, shares her love for aviation and history and is studying Digital Media Arts.

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