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HomeNewsScreaming Eagle Honor Flight aims to honor Veterans

Screaming Eagle Honor Flight aims to honor Veterans

Written by Staff Sgt. Sierra Fown
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Fort Campbell KY - 101st Airborne DivisionFort Campbell, KY – The Screaming Eagle Honor Flight departed Nashville, TN to Washington, D.C., Saturday with 27 World War II, Vietnam and Korean War veterans on board. In addition, each veteran had a volunteer sponsor, two of which were the 101st Airborne Division’s Soldier of the year and noncommissioned officer of the year.

The Screaming Eagle Honor Flight is a Clarksville-based chapter of the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization that provides veterans with free flights to and from D.C. Many of the veterans on board Saturday’s flight had never been to the National Mall to see the memorials that were built in their honor.

U.S. Marine veteran, Jim Devasher, a Bowling Green, Ky., native, points a name out on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington July 25, 2015. Staff Sgt. David Payton, 18th Airborne Corps and 101st Airborne Division NCO of the year was the guardian for Devasher during the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)
U.S. Marine veteran, Jim Devasher, a Bowling Green, Ky., native, points a name out on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington July 25, 2015. Staff Sgt. David Payton, 18th Airborne Corps and 101st Airborne Division NCO of the year was the guardian for Devasher during the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)

“We are a nonprofit, 501(c) (3), IRS-approved organization,” said Michael Flood, chairmen of Screaming Eagle Honor Flight, Clarksville. “Our mission is ‘If America thought it was important enough to build memorials in its veterans honor, we feel it is equally important that they get to visit and experience them.’”

The Honor Flight passengers met that morning at Nashville International Airport and were greeted with cheers from gracious Americans who wanted nothing more than to thank them for their sacrifices and shake their hands.

“You know, when we came home the first time, people would spit on us – tell us they wished we died,” said James Grater, a 20-year Army veteran who completed several tours in the Vietnam War. “And now look; they’re clapping and thanking us.”

Upon landing in D.C., veterans were given an additional warm welcoming from today’s Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Soldiers.

“I’ve always wanted to give back to them and find a way to thank them,” said Marine Sgt. Regina M. Boyle, Fort Meade, Maryland. “These men and women led the way for us service members today.”

Staff Sgt. David Payton, the 101st Airborne Division NCO of the year; Jim Devasher, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Bowling Green, Ky.; and Sgt. Macharia Webster, the 101st Airborne Division Soldier of the year, stop to read a tombstone in the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, July 25, 2015. The Arlington National Cemetery was the final stop during the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)
Staff Sgt. David Payton, the 101st Airborne Division NCO of the year; Jim Devasher, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Bowling Green, Ky.; and Sgt. Macharia Webster, the 101st Airborne Division Soldier of the year, stop to read a tombstone in the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, July 25, 2015. The Arlington National Cemetery was the final stop during the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)

The group was transported from Ronald Reagan Airport in a charter bus to their first stop at the World War II memorial. The veterans stopped at the Tennessee pillar for a group photo.

Retired Senator Bob Dole and his wife were at the entrance of the memorial and greeted the veterans with words of praise and thanks.

“There’s a lot of tears shed at these places,” said Dole, who played an instrumental role in the building of the World War II memorial. “If it wasn’t for their sacrifices, we all would be speaking German.”

Afterward, the group was driven to the Iwo Jima and Air Force memorials. While most of the veterans were prior Army, there were several retired Marines and Airmen as well.

Next up on their itinerary was the Vietnam and Korean War memorials, which hit home with many of the vets on board. The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument were in the vicinity for the group to visit as well. The vets were frequently stopped by other visitors and thanked for their service.

One particular citizen, Lorri A. Spada, a Pittsburgh native and Gold Star spouse, stopped to chat with Grater in front of the Vietnam Memorial. Her husband, Anthony Noah Conti, died in battle in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Conti’s name, along with 58,000 others, is etched on the reflective wall in tribute and remembrance of the sacrifice they gave.

“It gets better,” said Spada. “I come by as often as possible to see his name on that wall. I can’t thank these guys enough, and they lost friends just like I lost him. It’s comforting to talk to those who felt the same struggles he did.”

U.S. Army veteran, Hadley Williams, from Clarksville, reads a quote on the wall of the World War II memorial during a trip to Washington, July 25, 2015, sponsored by the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight organization. The Screaming Eagle Honor Flight is a Clarksville-based chapter of the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization that provides veterans with free flights to and from D.C. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)
U.S. Army veteran, Hadley Williams, from Clarksville, reads a quote on the wall of the World War II memorial during a trip to Washington, July 25, 2015, sponsored by the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight organization. The Screaming Eagle Honor Flight is a Clarksville-based chapter of the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization that provides veterans with free flights to and from D.C. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)

Williams offered up his condolences to Spada, and the two reflected on loved ones lost.

“A lot of men didn’t come home,” said Grater. “I hate to hear about the ones they left behind to deal with the pain of losing them.”

The day ended with a trip to the Arlington National Cemetery, where the group witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony rich in tradition where Soldiers with The Old Guard hand over responsibility of guarding the tomb.

“I am always so impressed every time I see it,” said Warren Evans, a 22-year Army veteran who served in both the Vietnam and Korean War and who spent eight years as a 101st Airborne Division Soldier. “I sure wouldn’t do it!”

Each veteran was assigned a guardian throughout the trip. The guardian’s responsibilities included escorting their veteran throughout the sites, assisting them with wheelchairs if necessary and ensuring they follow their medication requirements as prescribed. Staff Sgt. David Payton, 18th Airborne Corps and 101st Airborne Division noncommissioned officer of the year, and Sgt. Macharia Webster, the 101st Airborne Division soldier of the year, were both guardians for the flight.

“Providing our Veterans with the opportunity to visit the D.C. War Memorials, affords them the chance to reflect on a period of their lives in which they directly shaped the world,” said Payton. “It should be the responsibility of all Americans to pay tribute to the monuments that are dedicated to our Veterans.”

Flood said the veterans were honored to be escorted by Payton and Webster, and enjoyed catching up on how the service has changed throughout the year. Based on the time spent with them, Flood is not surprised they hold the title of the Soldiers of the Year and NCO of the Year.

U.S. Marine veteran, Jim Devasher, a Bowling Green, Ky., native, points a name out on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington July 25, 2015. Staff Sgt. David Payton, 18th Airborne Corps and 101st Airborne Division NCO of the year was the guardian for Devasher during the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)
U.S. Marine veteran, Jim Devasher, a Bowling Green, Ky., native, points a name out on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington July 25, 2015. Staff Sgt. David Payton, 18th Airborne Corps and 101st Airborne Division NCO of the year was the guardian for Devasher during the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight. (Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Fown, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs)

“I have heard nothing but great comments from the veterans escorted by Sgt. Webster and Staff Sgt. Payton,” said Flood. “They set a phenomenal precedent. As a 101st Airborne Division veteran myself, I want to thank all involved with allowing us to take these two individuals to D.C. to escort some of our nation’s heroes. Hopefully, we will be allowed to continue taking the division’s NCO and Soldier of the year on our flights, and make this a tradition.”

Although they are proud of their endeavors, both Payton and Webster agree that the real accomplishments lie with the veterans.

“Participating in the Honor Flight has been one of the most influential and memorable experiences in my military career,” said Payton. “Being able to assist these great American veterans while they pay homage to their lost friends and family, has been, and will forever remain, a humbling example of sacrifice and commitment.”

Flights are typically conducted twice a year – once in May and again in September. If the funds are available, more flights can be offered throughout the year. The Honor Flight Network is completely volunteer-based, and the opportunity is given to vets strictly from donations.

All veterans are encouraged to apply for a seat during the flight; however, priority is given to World War II veterans and those who are terminally ill.

For more information on how to donate, volunteer or apply as a veteran, visit the Screaming Eagle Honor Flight’s website at www.Screamingeaglehf.org

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