LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
As four buses transporting approximately 80 World War II and Korean War veterans park in front of the entrance to the Marine Corps War memorial, he saw a line of people beginning to form along the walkway to the front doors. He watched as men and women in military uniforms and members within the community created a receiving line, greeting the veterans and thanking them for their service.
Not used to receiving this much appreciation, Charles Bond noticed many veterans became overwhelmed with emotions that they had long suppressed.
A military spouse and self-contractor, Charles saw the expressions on their faces and felt chills as he observed the scope and impact this moment had.
Charles, along with Service members from Langley Air Force Base, Va., honored veterans of World War II and the Korean War by volunteering as guardians during the Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia trip to Washington, D.C., June 8.
Charles and his wife, Master Sgt. Amy Bond with Air Combat Command command munitions policy, have participated in HFHTVA since 2010.
With veterans passing away at a rate of approximately 1,000 a day, retired U.S. Air Force Capt. Earl Morse believed that seeing the memorials that were built in the veterans' honor could have a great impact on the rest of their lives by showing appreciation for their service.
In May 2005, Morse organized a free trip for a group of 12 World War II veterans flew to Washington, D.C. The visit was the inaugural Honor Flight, sparking a positive outcome with volunteers and veterans.
Since the first trip in 2005, 128 regional non-profit Honor Flight organizations have been created to help veterans from all around the country get to the World War II Memorial.
Most World War II veterans are at least 80 to 90 years old, many having disabilities that hinder their movement. In order to ensure the safety of the veterans on these trips, each veteran is assigned a volunteer guardian. As well as ensuring their safety, volunteer guardians also provide companionship.
A guardian can be a Service member, a member of the community or a loved one of a veteran.
The Honor Flight day is a full one, taking the veterans and their guardians to the World War II Memorial, as well as Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, honoring the veterans' service.
For Mr. Bond, even though he has been on several trips, each is unique and has a significant impact.
"The experience and knowledge you get from being with a veteran all day is different," said Mr. Bond. "You can't get this kind of information from the television or books. You are with history when you are with your veteran; you are essentially reliving what they went through."
Master Sgt. Bond echoed her husband's sentiment.
"Being an Honor Flight guardian shows respect to the veterans," said Master Sgt. Bond. "We want to give back and say 'thank you.'"
During the trip to Washington, D.C., people from all over showed their appreciation for the veterans by thanking them for their service, greeting them at the memorials with signs or lining up outside the Marine Corps Memorial.
"What I look forward to is the receiving line at Quantico," explained Mr. Bond. "People are constantly greeting the veterans and [the veterans'] reactions are the greatest."
Master Sgt. Bond said one of the most impactful things she sees being a guardian is how the veterans' demeanor changes once they see the memorials, displaying a sense of pride.
"The connection you make with your veteran can be life changing," said Master Sgt. Bond. "There is a sense of pride that you feel being able to do this."
After the long, emotional and inspiring day, Mr. Bond and the guardians left with a greater appreciation for the veterans they accompanied. While monuments can't fully convey the struggles and sacrifices made by veterans, the pride Mr. Bond saw in the veterans during their visit demonstrated honor and dignity for their service.