On Saturday, August 13, 2022, the American Airpower Museum and Honor Flight Long Island will host a reunion of 37 Vietnam era veterans and one WWII veteran. On June4, 2022, Honor Flight escorted this group of veterans on an early-morning free flight to Washington, D.C. Veterans and their guardians visited WWII and Vietnam Memorials, plus ArlingtonNational Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard. They returned to Islip later that evening for a rousing welcome by the Eastern Long Island Police Pipes and Drums Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family and supporters!
According to Bill Jones, President, Honor Flight Long Island, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, “This special flight included37 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service. They were accompanied on this flight by one elder comrade, a WWIIveteran of the ‘Greatest Generation.’ What this flight representedwas a ‘Big Hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible,” hesaid.
On August 13th the museum opens at 10:30 a.m. and the reunion is from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. The publicis encouraged toattend, applaud and cheerour veterans during the “Ceremony of Honors,” as each is presented with a personalized Tribute Journal full of photographs taken during their historic day in Washington, D.C.Admission for the 38veterans, their guardians and families, is free. Members of the public arriving for the event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. may attend free of charge. After 12:00 p.m., regular museum admission is $15for adults, $12for seniors and veterans, and $10for kids (ages 5-12).
This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President and Founder Jeff Clyman. Elected officials are expected to attend and present citations to the veterans. The U.S. Coast GuardAuxiliary Flotilla Band will play a patriotic medley known as the “Armed Forces Salute,” featuring five official melodies of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Free refreshments will be provided by HFLI. Come honor Long Island’s home-grown heroes!
HFLI is accepting applications from veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Long Island veterans are encouraged to sign up by going to the website, www.honorflightlongisland.org. It’s important to submit an application, as that will insure placement on our list. Veterans fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. They are accompanied by guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400 (tax deductible) to offset their travel costs. If there is no family member to act as a guardian, HFLI has volunteers ready to step up for the privilege of escorting our heroes to their memorials. Questions? Call Jamie Bowden at (631) 702-2423 or by email at JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.
AAM and HFLI invites the news media to cover our special Veterans’ Reunion on Saturday, August13, 2022.Pleasecontact Robert F. Salant, Public Affairs for American Airpower Museum and Honor Flight Long Island, to confirm your participation: (516) 328-3959 or rsalant123@outlook.com.
American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport is Long Island’s only flying military aviation museum.