Philadelphia Honor Flight Sept. 9 2012 Trip — The red carpet was rolled out for 100 World War II veterans, Sunday, Sept. 9, at St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church in Marple Townships, Pa. when year-old Honor Flight Philadelphia finished its fourth trip and second solo one.
Honor Flight is a national organization created in 2005 to provide a day of recognition for veterans in Washington D.C.. There is no cost to the veteran. World War II and terminally ill veterans are given a priority to participate. The average age of a World War II veteran is 90 years.
The Philadelphia hub was started in 2011.
After their day in the capital, the veterans were greeted with a red carpet, string band, honor guard and throngs of flag wavers at the church hall on Malin Road. They then got a dinner catered by Luigi and Giovanni Caterers of Newtown Square which included a floor show by the Manhattan Dolls performing World War II era music.
Numerous local businesses made donations. Gentiles Market in Newtown Square gave a case of bananas. Swiss Farms of Springfield gave cases of water. Wawa, Inc. gave numerous cartons of juice and tea. Herr’s gave snack crackers. Vitas and Main Line Medical Supplies gave wheelchairs. Just Born provided Peanut Chews and Chick-fil-A provided breakfast certificates.
Also, The Delaware County Intermediate Unit opened its parking lot and facilities to the vets and guardians for the early morning take off as parking at the church would have interfered with Sunday services.
The Marple Police Department and Broomall and Newtown Square volunteer fire companies provided invaluable assistance.
The Greater Overbrook String Band donated their music for the greeting.
Police departments starting with Pennsylvania State Police gave the four buses carrying the veterans a constant escort throughout the day.
Delaware County Councilman John McBlain, Congressman Chaka Fattah and Andrew Colket of Congressman Pat Meehan’s office were the speakers.
Neal Pizzano portrayed a World War II era MP and Korean War Marine James Eman provided a display of memorabilia.
If you know a World War II veteran who would be interested in participating or would like to be a guardian or just want more information about Honor Flight Philadelphia please visit http://honorflightphiladelphia.org or the national site at http://www.honorflight.org/
Guardians are asked to make a contribution to help defray the $6,000 per bus cost, says Honor Flight Phildelphia founder Andrew Schiavello.
