Veterans, students and administration of USD 252 Southern Lyon County are in the final stretch of their whirlwind tour of Washington DC
The 2021 fall Honor Flight left Olpe Monday morning and arrived in DC right around 10 am. Once there the contingent of individuals were off and running to visit as many memorials, museums and national parks as possible.
Among the group of travelers is US Army veteran Charles Grieg who says the trip has been a great experience from the “very beginning.”
This was Grieg’s second Honor Flight after he attended a previous trip to DC with his World War II veteran father several years ago. He says both trips have been incredibly special for many different reasons.
This is the first Honor Flight experience for Student Guardian Lillian Castillo who says the entire experience has been very informative and has given her a greater appreciation for servicemen and women.
This is also the first Honor Flight for US Army veteran and Emporia Municipal Court Judge Ted Hollembeak who says he has enjoyed all of the sites they have seen so far, however, there were a few that carried more sentimental value than others.
Student Guardian Connor Kueser says it is great to see all of the memorials through his own eyes, but its even more special to see it through the eyes of the veterans.
when asked his favorite moment of the trip, Air Force veteran Ron Smith says “that’s a hard question to answer.”
First time Student Guardian Tristen Fell tells KVOE News he didn’t think he would be awestruck by all of the sites in DC as he had seen them in books and photographs. After seeing them in person, however, he says there is nothing better.
All on board for the Honor Flight Trip are due to arrive back in Olpe around 11 pm Tuesday evening. USD 252 had been holding two trips a year before the pandemic and is well into planning for its next trip this upcoming spring.
Photos from Honor Flight can be found on the USD 252 Honor Flight Facebook page.
