Honor Flight for Veterans Takes Off Sept 16

Honor Flight for Veterans Takes Off Sept 16

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”- Jeff Miller

            Did you know that our nation is losing more than 1,500 World War II veterans and more than 500 Korean War veterans with each passing day? That’s a total of over 2,000 American heroes we won’t have with us come tomorrow. All too often, these brave men and women, who fought so diligently for our freedoms, seem to slip through the cracks and sadly do not receive the recognition nor the respect they deserve.  Honor Flight Kentucky is an organization that has made its goal to honor and celebrate as many of these veterans as possible. Its mission is to see that our fallen heroes and their sacrifices aren’t forgotten, and that those who are still with us are celebrated and treated with the utmost respect they deserve. Honor Flight Kentucky is one of over 130 non-profit charitable chapters located across 42 states, which makes up what is known as the “Honor Flight Network.”

            Honor Flight Kentucky flies World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to Washington DC for a one-day, all expenses-paid visit to the memorials, which are dedicated to their service and sacrifices. As stated on their website, “Our goal is to take as many of these brave heroes from Central, Eastern, and Southern Kentucky to see their memorials before they pass away.” Currently, Honor Flight Kentucky has over 500 veterans on the waiting list for flights occurring next year. Honor Flight Kentucky focuses on every component, including the safety and comfort of the participants to create a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience.

            One local veteran is preparing to take flight. Leland E. (Earnie) Spears, enlisted in the Army in November of 1954 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Spears then traveled to Fort Bliss, Texas where he completed an eight-week AAA sky sweeper training. Shortly upon his completion of sky sweeper training, Spears found himself at Fort Hood, which is located in Waco Texas, where he went into the 27^th armored field artillery battalion, 1^st Division with the 4^th Army. Spears later moved to the 1^st Armored Division at Fort Polk, LA California where he trained for two and half years and was promoted to SGT by Major General Howes. On November 27, 1957, Spears was honorable discharged as a SGT.

            Every veteran who participates in the honor flights will be accompanied by what they call a guardian. This guardian is there to help to aid the participant in any way that is needed while they are on the plane or touring the city. On September 16, 2023, Spears, and his guardian George Miller, who happens to be Spears son-in-law, will both fly out of the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky to Washington D.C. to tour the city and memorials. Spears’ honor flight would not have been made possible had it not been for Grayson Rural Electric’s generous sponsorship.

             Spears is looking forward to this trip with great anticipation and shared, “It’s has been a great honor and great privilege to have served the country. Being in the army was a great experience for me.” Spears went on to add that if you are on the fence about whether the Army is the right choice for you that you should first seek the Lord’s leadership and listen carefully to what he wants for your life, and that he (the Lord) will lead you in the direction to the path that you should be traveling.