WWII MEMORIAL: Jewel of the Mall

Canton Akron and Elizabeth Dole

Just as I had herded all the Canton Akron cats into my frame, along came Mrs. Dole tothrow some light on the image. She has taken over for Senator Dole and her presence is as large as his. She is ever gracious and has a empathy with people that is stunning to experience.  We made some pictures of her today for a museum exhibit on her accomplishments which are significant!  She’s been a good friend to Honor Flight and is currently spending a lot of time with America’s Wounded Warriors.

I should mention here that I am moving the WWII Memorial blog from Typepad over to my WordPress site to see if I can work out some “continuity.”  I may keep both hosts for a bit so the blogs don’t get lost too quickly.  Have a look at some of the events that have occurred over the past seven years!

 

Honor Flight Summit: Feb 2012

 

 120 Honor Flight leaders from probably thirty states gathered at the BWI Hilton this weekend to discuss the flight procedures, health issues, safety, public awareness and fund raising and prepare begin another season of bringing WWII Veterans to DC.  It was great meeting people who are interested in service. It does make you feel better about everything and in this jaundiced DC photogrpher's mind, Honor Flight will become synonymous with the best of America in the coming decades.  I gave a short talk on photo libraries, the best places on the Memorial to take photos and how to do a pan if your lens isn't wide enough to get the whole group in the picture.

I signed eight cases of books and hung out in the lobby chatting with people I normally see for a few minutes at the Memorial.  They are distinguished by their good humor, kindness and dedication.  Great weekend!

 

Honor Flight numbers are IMPRESSIVE ... Congratulations to all!!!

I received these numbers from Jim McLaughlin and I think that all the Honor Flight volunteers deserve great praise, ovations and a terrific Holiday Season.  Through rain, delays, departures and hot and cold days, you have all participated in an extraordianary piece of American History!  Congrats!

Please find the attached information to reflect totals for the 2011 Flying Season:

 -Veterans Flown in 2011: 18,055
-Guardians Flown in 2011: 13,893
-Combined Total in 2011: 31,948

And Since the inception of Honor Flight in May, 2005:
-Veterans Flown since inception: 81,348
-Guardians Flown since inception: 39,184
-Combined Total since inception: 120,532

"Heroes Welcome" begins transporting veterans

Lona Ichikawa has taken on a new role with Heroes' Welcome the organization that traditionally welcomes WWII Veterans to the BWI, Reagan and Dulles Airports. They are transporting their first bus trip from Northern Virginia.  The buses depart from American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax on October 2, 2011.  If you would like to be a guardian, you can get in touch with Lona through the Heroes' Welcome website.  They were recently given some press by the Vienna Connection and a lot of support from local volunteers.

VJ Day, Honolulu Hawaii, August 14, 1945

VJ Day, Honolulu Hawaii, August 14, 1945 from Richard Sullivan on Vimeo.

This video was recently found and is represented to be VJ Day in Honolulu. Imagine the celebration...no...SEE the celebration

Senator Dole's Plaque

Chicago Honor Flight April 27, 2011

Mary Pettinato rolled into the WWII Memorial this afternoon with her volunteers both from Chicago and the local group headed by Renda traveled to the WWII Memorial, the Lincoln and finally to the Iwo Jima Memorial.  Due to other committments, I haven't been down to the Memorial other than in passing. 

I finally had some spare time today and was delighted to find Mary Pettinato and her group of guardians many of whom are from Washington so it's great to see DC and vicinity at the Memorial. As usual, Mary was the epitome of organized and had every Veteran's picture and medical records scanned and organized on an IPAD!  No stragglers here!

"I shop at Hyvee!....Iowa Visits

For the last two years, I've gotten book orders from the Iowa Hyvee for Honor Flights who I haven't had a chance to meet but today Iowa was here.  And "I'm going shop at Hyvee!" even if they don't have any stores in the DC area.  I think it's wonderful that companies like this get behind community events and Hyvee is to be commeneded along with a host of individuals and companies that make up Iowa's Honor Flight.

 

Jewel of the Mall Online

"WWII Memorial: Jewel of the Mall" is now online!

Dayton and Purple Heart on a Mid-August Day

This Saturday was the first cool day we've had in some time and I decided to get down to visit the WWII Memorial for the first time in a month.  Judi Wybenga and her crew of volunteers were on hand to help unload the Dayton buses.  Earl Morse and Dave Bauer showed up to distribute Purple Heart plaques around the Memorial. Photos from the day are available at the Photo Site and can be downloaded for "personal use" only.