SAR honors veterans at Honor Flight

On April 29, 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution participated in the Honor Flight opening ceremonies held at Ashburn Senior Center, Ashburn, Virginia. Three chapters of the SAR assembled and provided an Honor Guard to recognize and celebrate the service to the country by veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. This was the 16th flight sponsored by the Honor Flight Top of Virginia.

SAR participants, from left to right: Dale Corey, Allan Phillips, Barry Schowerer, Ken Bonner, Marc Robinson, Mark Sink, Richard Tyler, Paul Christensen, Bill Schwetke, Thomas “Chip” Daniel and Brett Osborn. (Photos courtesy of Michelle Phillips)

Two bus loads of veterans participated in a day long trip to Washington, D.C. for veterans to see the monuments that honor their service and end with a stop at Arlington National Cemetery to watch the changing of the guard. They then returned to the Ashburn Senior Center where family, friends and supporters were there to greet them. Veterans who served prior to 1975 participate with a guardian assigned to each veteran as an escort. The stops include the World War II Monument, the Korean War and Vietnam Memorials as well as the U.S. Air Force Monument before going to the cemetery.

SAR Honor Guard at present arms, from left to right: Brett Osborn, Allan Phillips, Barry Schowerer, Ken Bonner, Marc Robinson, Mark Sink, Richard Tyler, Paul Christensen, Bill Schwetke, Thomas “Chip” Daniel and Brett Osborn.

The opening ceremony consisted of a four cadet color guard from Randolph-Macon Academy presenting the colors, a ten man Honor Guard from the Virginia SAR State Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem. After the closing of the ceremony, the SAR Color Guard line up on two sides of the exit to form a Walk of Honor. As the veterans pass through the line, the guard comes to attention and present arms to honor them as the pass to their busses.

Veterans passing through the Honor Guard.

The Honor Flight is led by Dianne Klopp and her team who ensure the trip is safe and well organized. They have scheduled two more trips in 2023. On June 3rd they will depart from Winchester and September 23rd from Harrisonburg.

The three chapters from the SAR were Colonel James Wood II, Sgt Maj John Champe and Culpeper Minutemen. All SAR members wore colonial era attire. The compatriots were Paul Christensen, Dale Corey, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Allan Phillips, Brett Osborn, Marc Robinson and Richard Tyler from CJWII, Ken Bonner, Barry Schwoerer and Mark Sink from SMJC and Bill Schwetke from CMM.