American Airpower Museum will host an Honor Flight Long Island Reunion on Dec. 3 to celebrate one WWII, 22 Korean and 27 Vietnam War veterans who took an early-morning flight to Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 2022. The veterans visited their military memorials, commiserated with fellow veterans and exchanged stories. Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the Armed Forces of the United States by providing free, one-day D.C. trips for veterans.
Thanks to HFLI, these veterans took a free, early-morning Southwest flight to Washington, D.C. Departing from Islip MacArthur Airport, veterans visited the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, plus Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard. They returned to Islip later that evening for a rousing welcome by the Saffron United Bagpipe Band plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters.
On Dec. 3, the museum opens at 10:30 a.m. and the reunion is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3 (1230 New Highway, Farmingdale). Admission for the veterans, their guardians and families, is free. The public is also invited to attend free of charge if they arrive between 10:30 a.m. and noon. After 12 p.m., regular museum admission for adults is $15, seniors and veterans is $12, kids ages 5-12 is $10.
Come and cheer these veterans during our “Ceremony of Honors,” as they receive personalized Tribute Journals full of photos taken during their Washington, D.C. trip. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President and Founder Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 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.
The September 2022 cohort includes:
Henry Prew, Robert Wallace, Ralph Domjan, Gerald Geller, Charles Levine, Marshall Kfare, John Probst, Lydia Andrews, Charles Curcio, Gerlad Wilkoff, James Thompson, Richard Van Cott, Charles Hund, Jr., Issac Finkel, John Donelan, David Harris, Robert McCarthy, Harry Crosby, Michael Cardito, Stuart Baker, Lawrence Schroeder, John Foley, John Foster, Louis Baer, Eusebio Soto, Victor Montanez, Jr., Gerald June, Russell Wiebelt, James Robertson, Zbigniew “Stan” Koziol, Joseph Moores, David Kalos, Richard Kaplan, Dennise Rocillo, Louis Triolo, Jr., Joseph Drago, Frank Corso, Joseph Mellor, John Griffin, Gerald McGrath, Peter Ceponis, Walter Ebe, Donald Nobles, Paul Dockendorf, John Carbone, Anthony Tricarico, Harry Milleisen, Arthur Milleisen, George Bruno and Michael Waligora.
HFLI is accepting applications from veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Long Island veterans are encouraged to sign up at www.honorflightlongisland.org.
It’s important to submit an application, as that will insure placement on their 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.
