Tattooed bikers, mummers, the Knights of Columbus, military re-enactors, a Catholic priest, Brownies, Congressman Pat Meehan and two Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders were among the contingent greeting 150 veterans and their escorts this evening, May 30, at St. Kevin’s Church in Springfield, Pa. at the return of the Spring 2015 Honor Flight Philadelphia trip.
The veterans were from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
The five buses with a vanguard of bikers entered the lot just before 7 p.m. through a ladder arch placed on Sproul Road by volunteer firemen and festooned with an American flag.
The veterans left the buses to be greeted by the cheerleaders before walking down a red carpet through a crowd of flag waving residents to music played by the Greater Overbrook String Band. They met Congress Meehan (R-Pa7) and then were led into the church hall where they were treated to a scrumptious feast and a floor show by The Manhattan Dolls.
Honor Flight is a national non-profit organization founded in 2005 to give aging or terminally ill veterans a day of honor in Washington D.C.
There is no cost to the veterans.
The Philadelphia hub was started in 2011 by Springfield resident Andrew Schiavello,
Honor Flight Philadelphia Spring 2015 Trip
Bill…. This past Saturday was a great day in Springfield, that’s for sure !!!
Seeing all the Veterans, many with war stories that they have held inside for all these years, together with their brothers and sisters …was a day to remember. They were able to share stories with each other, knowing that they would understand what each had gone through, was truly touching. To “A Hero’s Welcome” , the Warriors’ Watch Riders and many other military support groups in attendance.. it’s the high point of our year!!! Looking forward to doing this again.. thank you Honor Flight Philadelphia!
WELCOME HOME HEROES!!!!!