Veterans reflect on Honor Flight as organizers seek donations

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- From a bagpipe-filled sendoff to a patriotic concert at the U.S. Navy Memorial and a red, white and blue welcome home in Fresno, the Central Valley Honor Flight gave local veterans what organizers describe as the trip of a lifetime.

Among those making the journey was Fresno veteran Jerry Wagner, who said visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., was especially meaningful. Wagner served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne.

"How many jumps did you make sir? I made 37. That's unbelievable.. understand lucky and an angel... I was young and gungho at the time. Young and gungho. Yeah! Ha!" Wagner said.

"With an angel on your shoulder, I think, right? There was something there for me, Yes!"

The Honor Flight program relies heavily on volunteers who support veterans throughout the trip.

"Every time we have one of these flights.. our Honor Flight family grows. More people who come forward with more ideas and better ways to do it... and to me.. its a reflection of the heart of the Valley," said Paul Loeffler.

Volunteers assist participants throughout the journey, providing support and companionship. Among them is longtime volunteer Janet Goodreau, who serves as a tour bus captain.

"I get so much more back for something that I should have done a long time ago," Goodreau said.

"I can't do what they've done for me.. as an American Citizen.. but my way of giving back. It's still not enough.. but that's why I keep doing it."

According to organizers, Central Valley Honor Flight No. 34 in April cost $250,000. Donations fund the trips that take veterans to Washington to visit war memorials and other sites.

"We can't do this without the people of the Valley stepping up time and time again.. and saying.. this is worthwhile. We're going to give our hard earned money to make sure these veterans get the experience they deserve," Loeffler said.

Navy veteran and longtime Fresno educator Tom Sabatino said the trips offer more than an opportunity to visit the nation's capital.

"We get the experience but people see us and they get another perspective on what we had to do to keep America Safe," Sabatino said.

Organizers said upcoming Honor Flights scheduled for late August and September are not in jeopardy. However, a planned October flight is about $150,000 short of the funding needed to move forward and could be canceled if the money is not raised.

A donor is currently matching contributions up to $50,000.

Organizers said the funds are needed by next Tuesday. Donations can be made through the Central Valley Honor Flight website, cvhonorflight.org.

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