SAR honors veterans at Honor Flight

On June 11, 2022, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter along with the Sgt Maj John Champe and Culpeper Minutemen Chapters of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution participated in an opening ceremony for the Honor Flight conducted by Honor Flight – Top of Virginia (HFTV).

The combined color guard, from left to right: Kelly Ford, Bill Schwetke, Marc Robinson, Ken Bonner, Mike St Jacques, Richard Turner, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Mark Sink, Allan Phillips and Dale Corey. (Photos courtesy of Thomas “Chip” Daniel.)

HFTV is a hub of the Honor Flight Network created to honor America’s Veterans for their sacrifices. They serve the Shenandoah Valley, Loudoun County and beyond with top priority to senior veterans along with those that are terminally ill. They transport the veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the various memorials on the mall and then are taken to Arlington National Cemetery to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Top of Virginia conducts three flights a year. The remaining trip for 2022 will be from Harrisonburg on 24 Sep. They accept applications from veterans who served prior to 1975.

Honor Guard Flags, from left to right: Bill Schwetke, Ken Bonner, Mark Sink and Dale Corey.

At the June 11 event, the veterans arrived for a social time and pictures from 7:00 – 7:30 and all have a guardian assigned to assist them throughout the day. The flight visits the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Memorials with a box lunch provided to all who attend. The changing of the guard is the final stop and they are then returned to the point of debarkation where they are met with flag waving fans of our American heroes.

The opening ceremony consisted of the combined Colonel James Wood II, Sgt Maj John Champe and Culpeper Minutemen Chapter Color Guards presenting the colors. Sentinels Thomas “Chip” Daniel and Mike St Jacques were stationed at the entrance as the guard led by commander Marc Robinson marched into the room. The guard was called to present arms for the singing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. The guard then retired to prepare an Honor Guard for the veterans to proceed through on their way to the bus. Guardsmen participating included Ken Bonner, Dale Corey, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Kelly Ford, Allan Phillips, Marc Robinson, Bill Schwetke, Mark Sink, Mike St Jacques and Richard Tyler.

The sentinels, from left to right: Thomas “Chip” Daniel and Mike St Jacques.