Next time you are at DCA, please check out the new art exhibit in the hallway outside the USO (between Terminal A and Terminals B/C) — a beautiful series of paintings by Chinese Artist Haoqin Gong. When he heard the story of the “Flying Tigers”, he was enchanted and inspired to document history with his paintbrushes. The Flying Tigers were an American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force in 1941-1942, composed of pilots from the United States Army Air Corps, Navy, and Marine Corps. The pilots were recruited under presidential authority and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The shark-faced nose art of the Flying Tigers’ planes remains among the most recognizable image of any individual aircraft or combat unit of World War II.

I want to express feelings in my stance, showing my admiration to departed heroes and my appreciation of friendship between Chinese and American.”

– Haoqin Gong, May 8, 2016

This exhibit won’t be around forever — check it out today!

DCA Ground Crew at the

WORLD WAR II WEEKEND AT RIPPON LODGE

Alan and Judy Lewis, our husband and wife volunteer recruiter team, will be at WORLD WAR II WEEKEND AT RIPPON LODGE in Woodbridge, VA on Saturday, July 9^th.  they’ll be seeking new Greeter recruits to join us for the second half of our 2016 season which will begin later this month and continue into November.  This World War II event will be the first of many leading up to December 7, 2016, the 75^th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and U.S. entry into World War II. 

Rippon Lodge, now a Prince William County Historic Site, was the home of Rear Admiral Richard Blackburn Black, USN, an officer associated with Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the polar regions explorer.  Adm. Black’s service brought him to Hawaii in August 1941 and to Pearl Harbor on December 7th.   Later during World War II he fought in the Battles of Tarawa and Saipan.  He was awarded a Bronze Star for actions during that service.  He died in 1992 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Weekend events are FREE and will include living historians portraying Allied and Axis soldiers and their life daily lives in the European and Pacific theaters of operations.  Life on the home front during World War II will also be portrayed. Get more information on Facebook!

‪#‎HonorFlightDCA‬

Introducing your June 2016 PHOTO OF THE MONTH from Volunteers Laura, Laura, and Lauren at a recruitment event in Crystal City.

Not long ago Southwest Airlines started a program, called Points for a Purpose, where anyone with Southwest Rapid Rewards points can donate them to any of the 9 nonprofit organizations Southwest has partnered with, including Honor Flight!

Go to www.southwest.com/donate to learn more!

Thanks to Southwest for being such a wonderful partner  — we are proud to have you as the official airline of Honor Flight!

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY: June 16, 1941

National Airport opens for business! Congratulations on 75 years to our friends at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport!

June 18-19, 2016
Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD

Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

LZ Maryland is a weekend event that will honor Vietnam veterans as they gather together with family, friends, and a grateful public.

For more information, visit their website: http://vietnam.mpt.org/lzmaryland/

The two-day event includes:

The Tribute Ceremony
Tens of thousands of people from Maryland and mid-Atlantic states are expected to attend the LZ Maryland ceremony to salute and honor Maryland’s Vietnam-era veterans. The event on Saturday evening will feature the presentation of colors, the national anthem, presentations, music, heartfelt sentiments of appreciation, and much more.

Memorial Chair Ceremony
A powerful memorial of 1,017 white empty chairs will be placed at the infield in silent tribute to the 1,017 Maryland veterans killed or missing in action. The chairs will be a conspicuous, moving salute to service members who did not return from the war. Signage depicting the names of those represented will accompany the display.

The Honor Ride
Hundreds of members of veteran motorcycle organizations, associations, and clubs will participate in a motorcycle Honor Ride, representing the 1,017 Marylanders who died in combat or are still missing. Veteran-participants will travel from their many separate locations to American Legion Post 22 in Towson, MD and then travel to and enter the LZ Maryland event at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium in formation.
» More information

The R&R Family Zone
The R&R Family Zone is a retreat for activities and performances that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Located indoors, the R&R Family Zone provides a break from the elements and allows for participants to evoke their inner artist at the Craft Station, be entertained by the variety of performances at the Auxiliary Stage, or simply sit back and relax.

The Basic Training Course
Compete with your family or race against time in this boot camp-inspired obstacle course.  Challenges include, tire stutter step, low crawl, push-ups, hurdles and more.

MASH Unit
The Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) refers to a U.S. Army medical unit serving as a fully functional hospital in a combat area of operations. LZ Maryland will have a MASH replica on display. Event attendees will be able to tour the hospital and get a perspective of the conditions workers and wounded experienced more than 40 years ago.

LZ Maryland Mess Hall
From classic festival fare to traditional Vietnamese cuisine, the LZ MarylandMess Hall is the one-stop shop for food and beverages. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Swing by for a snack or stay for a meal and enjoy seating in one of many shade tents. A variety of Mess Halls will be available throughout the event site, both indoors and out.

The Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals, a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with a mobile Education Center, honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces during the Vietnam War and its walls bear the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam including the name of each Maryland Vietnam veteran who was killed in or missing in action.

The Wall of Faces
This “wall” is a visual memorial for those Marylanders  who were killied in or missing in action.  The virtual display provides a photo for nearly every Marylander whose name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Located indoors, seating will be provided for viewers to watch and remember the fallen.

Veteran Art Gallery
Art as therapy has been adopted by many veterans as a way to deal with the traumatic experiences war can present. In addition, there are some recognized artists who have created masterpieces depicting the war.  The LZ MarylandVeteran Art Gallery will house the works of dozens of talented Vietnam veterans. Artwork in this area is for display only; additional artwork will be available for sale in the Market Place.

Veteran Services Village
Veteran service organizations (VSOs) will be on hand to discuss various topics and connect veterans to valuable resources. Counselors will be available to assist veterans, one-on-one, with advice on PTSD, Agent Orange, TBI and other concerns. Additionally, companies and organizations will be on hand who offer veterans assistance with job placement, financial services, legal aid, housing assistance, and more.

Writers Hooch
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Vietnam veteran authors, participate in literary discussions and peruse many publications on the topic of the Vietnam era. Books from appearing authors will be on sale.

Reunion Lounge
This large lounge area provides a site where veterans and their families may reunite, relax and relate. Each reunion lounge will be clearly marked by branch, so veterans who have that commonality will be brought together. Sponsors of this area may engage with veterans in this lounge atmosphere and are encouraged to offer a benefit to the veterans.

LZ Maryland Screening Room
Beat the heat and step into the air-conditioned LZ Maryland Screening Room. This theater-style area allows attendees to view several Vietnam-related films, including Maryland Vietnam War Stories and PBS specials.

Vietnam “Tour of Duty” Map
A map (roughly 100’ x 120’) of Southeast Asia will be one of the focal points of LZ Maryland and will be positioned in a strategic spot at the fairgrounds. The map will be manufactured so that veterans, family members and friends can walk on it, sign it, or make other notations. Veterans will possibly sign the places where they served, or they and family members might sign the places where fellow soldiers or loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice.

Aircraft and Motor Pool Displays
Go back in time with this display of Vietnam-era military vehicles and aircraft. The display will include a variety of vehicles including jeeps, tanks, and more.  Additionally, attendees will also see a variety of helicopters including two Huey helicopters, a gunship, a medivac, observation helicopters, and more.

Entertainment
Performers on two stages will keep visitors entertained throughout the weekend. The main stage will be the focal point for ceremonies (Opening/Closing Ceremony, Tribute Ceremony, prayer service, etc.), headline talent, USO-style show, and regional bands throughout this two-day event. A second stage will feature regional and local bands performing hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s inside.

And much more!
Want more information? Contact us.
If you are interested in volunteering, please click here.

#HonorFlightDCA

Introducing your May 2016 PHOTO OF THE MONTH from Volunteer Danielle at a departure greeting earlier this month.

“smiles, applause, handshakes, and hugs for these heroes”

Check it out on our website and in our display case at DCA.

Want to be featured next month? Hashtag your favorite Honor Flight photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! We will choose the next PHOTO OF THE MONTH on July 1 to be featured on our website and in our display case at DCA.

The Friends of the National World War II Memorial (Friends) will commemorate the 72 years since 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France during a special commemoration and wreath presentation at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 10:00 AM.

Honor Flight Bay Area (California), with over two dozen WWII veterans, will take part in this special commemoration.

As part of the ceremony, several WWII and D-Day veterans will place wreaths at the Atlantic Arch of the World War II Memorial in memory of the 9,000 Allied soldiers killed or wounded during the invasion.

European Union Ambassador to the United States David O’Sullivan will speak and present a wreath during the event. Friends chairman Josiah Bunting III will also provide remarks and the Military District of Washington will provide military support for the event.

RSVP NOW

Live on PBS From the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol!

Sunday, May 29, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET

For more information, visit their website: http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/home/