Honor Flight to Washington

This past spring while attending a dinner for the 100 Club I had the honor of sitting with several former Fire Chiefs who are also decorated Viet Nam veterans.  Former Chief of Warwick Fire  and Brad Preston who sponsored the table pulled me aside. They wanted to speak to me about the Providence Police Department Pipes and Drums attending an Honor Flight and following the Veterans down to Washington.

As you all know, Jerry's sons and daughters decided on Honor Flight for donations to be made in Jerry's name.  For me this was a no brainer.

This event is being hosted and funded by several entities including the Rhode ISland Fire Chiefs Association and Ocean State Job Lot.

We have already played at two Honor Flights so far this year.  In fact George Farrell of the RIFCA had reached out to the band on a "feeler" to see if we would be willing.

Roger Aspinal who is President and myself as Vice President were excited.  The fact the other people were approaching us indicated the high interest.

Brad Preston is a United States Army Special Forces NCO veteran of the Cold War and is the Special Forces Association Chapter President.  Tom Rowan is a US Army Special Forces Officer who served in Viet Nam and was the  Commander of Company A 2nd Battalion 19th Special Forces Group.

Everything was moving forward.  Band members were extremely excited about participating in this event.    We would be doing what is called a massed band event with the RI Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums for the Honor flight. We had been playing together for these events n the past.

Both Bands agreed to practice together and we worked almost every week to tune, march and tighten up both bands.  One of our Band Mates Father who is a retired Battalion Chief in Providence would join us as a Guardian and escort for one of the Vets.

Things were moving full speed when tragedy struck the Providence Police in August.  Our own Tenor Drummer Officer John Raposa was killed in a traffic accident in Jamestown, RI while off duty.

John's father was committed more then ever to the Honor Flight.

Things began moving fast and September 28th arrived quicker then we realized.  What an outstanding day.  I met with numerous Veterans.  Men and Women.

We marched them down to the Gate at TF Green.  We had a chance to meet and greet with the Veterans.  They were soon off.  We followed off soon after and arrived in BWI before them.  Not sure how that happened.

The Vets were met at the Airport by the Honor Flight Ground Crew at BWI.  Military Units from all Service Branches were present to meet the Vets.  An Airforce Band was playing hits from the 1940's!

We moved quickly to the bus and were off to DC escorted by the United States Park Police with Motorcycle units and marked Vehicles.

Arriving at the Memorial was quite a sight.  I had been to DC with Jerry in February 2002. The construction was just beginning on the site.

Carl Weston, Manny Soares and Bob Boehm all looked at me and we shared a moment.  Carl Weston spoke and said. " You know Jerry would have loved all this.  Wish he was still with us to take all this in.  He would have had us all laughing."  Yes he would most certainly would have.

Soon the Pipe Majors and Drum Majors went down to the site to figure out where and what we would be doing for the festivities.    We would march in and play a short set to gather everyones attention and then march back out.   Once all the RI Vets arrived we would March them in to Scotland The Brave.

We would play the Military Set.  Several VIPs were to speak.  General Colin Powell was on hand to speak as well as the RI Congressional Delegation.  Also present was Robert Dole.  Veteran US ARMY officer with the 10th Mountain Division.  Senator Dole was wounded in action in Italy.

Events moved forward rapidly and we were soon marching the Vets in.  It was a humbling experience.

Det. Clarence Gough of the PPD photographed the event and you can see lots of great shots on a FB look that Steve has provided in an earlier post.

I met with several Veterans.  Of course everyone wants a photo with the guy in the Fuzzy Bonnet.  I had a group of veterans from Long Island approach me.   They wanted me to pose with them with some band members.  I said sure but wouldn't you want to pose with the Dignitaries and Politicians.

Veterans of that Era have no filter.  Much as Jerry was, they speak thier mind.  "Son I have nothing in common with any of those people.  I have more in common with you and the Cops and firefighters.  We want a picture with you fellows.  You came all the way from Providence to play for us.  That speaks volumes.  No get it down son."  Whoops.  Yes Sir!   I gathered up a crew and we posed for quite a few photos.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps came afterwards with his Command Staff.  We were soon off and moving back to the Hilton at the airport for a lunch.  We played for the Veterans at the front of the Hotel as they arrived.

I was introduced to a Veteran who was from Long Island.  His escort was a retired Suffolk Count Police Officer.  The Veteran Named Cookie, was a B17 Ball Turret Gunner who flew 51 missions in the Pacific.  He flew from Saipan, Tinian and later Iwo Jima.  My head snapped around.  Jerry had Assault landed at those tree Island.  I brought this gentleman over and into the circle while the band played. I handed him the mace and he kept time.
 He hugged me and looked at me and said "Thanks I appreciated that."

The band had to scarf food quickly as we had an early flight out.  We got back to Warwick and then went over to Doherty's Ale House and met with Fans of  The Bands and family members.

We gathered up both bands and then marched into the Bar.  Military Set, Amazing Grace, The Balmoral and Rakes of Mallow.    We were done.

We will be playing another Honor Flight coming up soon.

Additionally both Bands will be playing at the Salute to Veterans at Waterfire.  That same night we will be heading to Newport to play at O'Brien's for a fundraiser for Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Association for Honor Flight.

This will take place on Saturday 9 November 2013.

Honor Flight - Sep 28, 2013

The Baltimore Sun had a nice write up of the recent honor flight to the WWII Memorial in Washington. You can read the full story here
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/anne-arundel/glen-burnie/bs-md-honor-flight-20130928,0,2052113.story

The Providence Police Pipe & Drum Corp accompanied the veterans on the trip and posted over 100 photos to Facebook. Hopefully, you will be to view these:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151736608776969.1073741832.153396766968&type=1

Largest Honor Flight in History to Assemble at WWII Memorial on September 28, 2013

Ocean State Job Lot funds chartered planes from three airports for WWII veterans to visit nation’s capital in honor of their service.


NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (September 19, 2013): On September 28, 2013, nearly 600 World War II veterans, their guardians, active duty military personnel, medical personnel, and other guests from New England and New York will travel to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial. It is the largest, single Honor Flight tour of its kind in the history of the Honor Flight program.

Thanks to Ocean State Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation and the generosity of its customers who made donations at the retailer’s 110 stores throughout the region, the daylong trip comes at no cost to the veterans or their families and enables elderly WWII veterans to visit their memorial, which was dedicated in 2004, for the first time.

“It’s our way of giving the recognition and respect that we think these veterans deserve,” states Marc Perlman, owner/partner of Ocean State Job Lot, a leading closeout retailer based in Rhode Island with stores in six New England states and New York. “This trip, with chartered airplanes leaving from three different airports, brings veterans from all military service branches together along with their guardians, and marks the largest group of its kind ever to assemble at the World War II Memorial.”

Known as “Operation: Gratitude 2013,” three Southwest Airlines charters will leave T.F. Green (Providence, R.I.), MacArthur (Islip, N.Y.) and Logan (Boston) airports, respectively, early on the morning of Saturday, September 28, 2013, arriving at BWI Airport in Baltimore. From there, the honorees will travel by bus to the Memorial and, if time, to other sites as well before enjoying a special dinner in their honor at the Airport Hilton in Baltimore.

Established in 2004, the Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans, transporting them to Washington D.C. at no cost to them to visit and reflect at their memorials. The program was conceived in Springfield, OH by Earl Morse, a physician assistant, private pilot and retired Air Force Captain who wanted to honor the veterans he had cared for. At that time, the World War II Memorial had just been completed in D.C., yet many veterans were in their 80s and lacked the physical, mental and financial resources to visit it on their own. The first Honor Flight tour was made in 2005. Thereafter, a network of participating programs called “hubs” formed across America in order to pool resources, experiences and alliances to get veterans to their memorial safely. Presently there are 127 hubs in 41 states. The three hubs participating in “Operation: Gratitude 2013” are Honor Flight New England, Honor Flight Rhode Island (supported by the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs) and Honor Flight Long Island.

“Of all the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation, and as a culturally diverse, free society,” states Mr. Morse, founder of Honor Flight. “The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 640 World War II veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out. We thank Ocean State Job Lot for their generosity in keeping our group’s mission alive and bringing honor to their service.”

# # #

Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot is a growing, privately held retail chain with 110 stores in New England and New York, approximately 4,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $540 million. Job Lot sells brand name, first quality merchandise at closeout prices. Shoppers find an ever-changing array of household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (gardening, pool supply, outdoor), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, placing emphasis on local food banks in communities where Job Lot operates stores. The Foundation also supports medical and educational institutions, disaster relief efforts, the performing arts, our military service men and women, and special needs and foster children. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered at 375 Commerce Park Road in the Quonset Point Business Park, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Web: http://www.osjl.com



ABOUT HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK:
Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. The group transports our nation’s heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Honor Flight, Inc. is headquartered at 300 E. Auburn Ave. in Springfield, OH 45505-4703. Phone: 937-521-2400; Web: http://www.honorflight.org

Honor Flight from RI

The Providence Police Pipes and Drums saw off the recent group of RI WWII and Korean War veterans who made the honor flight to Washington, DC. Channel 10, WJAR captured the event with this good summary and set of interviews.

Spend some time this Memorial Day to reflect and give thanks to those who served to create the freedoms we enjoy!


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Jerry got to Washington without as much fanfare when my brothers and I took  him down in Dec 2007
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2007/12/kilroy-was-here.html

and we selected Honor Flight as the charity of choice when Jerry left us
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-honor-flight.html