Mary Pettinato, CEO and co-founder of Honor Flight Chicago, said Korean War veterans never received the welcome they deserved. "We need to honor and recognize them before it's too late," she said.
There are an estimated 35,000 Korean War veterans living in the Chicago area and more than 1,200 have already signed up to go to D.C..
Flights open to Korean War veterans this year are April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10Sept. 7 and Oct. 5. World War II veterans who have not yet gone will continue to be served.
Honor Flights involve an early morning flight from Midway Airport. Honor Flight Chicago and a group of active-duty volunteers escort the veterans to the national monuments built in their honor. They visit the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials as well as the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Hundreds show their appreciation throughout the day and there is a ceremony at the World War II memorial featuring bagpipers and a color guard. Their return flight lands in Chicago by 8:30 p.m..
Quite a Busy But Deserved Day. --Cooter
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