Corinne Lewis says she had the honor of observing the guards at Arlington Memorial cemetery scuff the heels of their polished shoes on the sidewalk as they walked past the veterans in her Honor Flight group. In all her years of bringing schoolchildren for the annual D.C. trip, this was the first she had ever heard of the subtle salute rendered to veterans by otherwise silently precise guards.
Honor Flight San Diego had sent approximately 40 veterans of the Korean war as well as about 22 World War II veterans on this particular bi-annual trip to the capitol so that they could visit the collection of memorials and tour surrounding areas of interest.
Each veteran on the trip was partnered with an escort who traveled with them for the duration of the trip, which included a bussed visit to Arlington, the Iwo Jima memorial and the Air Force memorial. Lewis paid for the chance to escort Alpine veteran Harry Quick, and says it was one of the best things she’s ever done.
Following the stop at Arlington and the two initial memorial visits, they were free to walk around the WWII and Korean war memorials so travelers could take as much time as they wanted to reflect at the sites. Alternatively, they could also walk to the Lincoln memorial or the Vietnam Memorial wall.
Lewis said that Kiwanis member and Wall of Honor organizer Dan Foster, known for his involvement with local veterans, has described the significance of serving one’s country but that it took this trip for the full weight of his passion to make sense.
“Over all the years that I’ve known Dan, he is so emotional, so invested in our veterans… The emotion that he speaks with— I felt it on this trip,” Lewis said.
After the solemnity at the memorials, former service members were able to relax and socialize with each other in the evening. The storytelling and quick development of friendship between veterans who did not know each other prior to the trip was unlike anything Lewis has seen before.
“It was all about the veterans. Not even spouses completely get it, this was something completely different. Only vets understand vets,” Lewis observed.
The second day in D.C. held a trip to the Navy yard where former sailor and cryptographer Dallas Watkins schooled the crowd with his quick communication in code. That afternoon, mail call was held.
Prior to the trip, friends and family of the veterans had secretly written letters that were sent along on the trip and tucked aside for receipt there in D.C. Lewis said that it was a hugely emotional moment to see people read letters expressing appreciation that might not be as easy to share in person.
“Everybody’s crying. I’m crying, they’re crying, I’m crying because they’re crying,” Lewis said.
Upon their return to San Diego, the Honor Flight was greeted by San Diegans who cheered at the entourage and welcomed the group home.
