Students @BrentElementary greet Honor Flight w patriotic songs @Delta @Reagan_National #WTOP pic.twitter.com/YWrEaOH6lr
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) June 2, 2015.@BrentElementary Joshua Krohn sz kids practiced 6wks "busted their tails to do this for our country" #WTOP pic.twitter.com/tJ8xGQRkgR
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) June 2, 2015WASHINGTON – Generations of patriots young and old met Tuesday at Reagan National Airport when a group of elementary school children greeted arriving World War II veterans.
“They are such heroes to our country they deserve to be respected,” said 10-year-old McKenzie Miller of Brent Elementary on Capitol Hill.
A choir of third and fourth grade students from Brent Elementary practiced for a month and a half to learn a collection of patriotic songs for the event.
“They’re songs that represent America. And songs that show how America stands during war. And how brave we are. Songs like the national anthem, ‘America the Beautiful’ and much more,” says 9-year-old Beck Stettler.
“It’s been a lot of practice. They’ve even given up some of their lunch times, their recess times – just to sing for the World War II veterans,” says Joshua Krohn, the school’s music and performing arts director.
An enthusiastic crowd sang along with the children and clapped and waved flags to help welcome 62 veterans from Michigan, who took an Honor Flight to Washington for some sightseeing plus a visit to the National World War II Memorial built in their honor.
Another Honor Flight also arrived Tuesday at Dulles International Airport according to Christopher Paolino, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
“Every Honor Flight to Dulles International and Reagan National airports each year is a heartwarming and humbling experience. From water arches by Airports Authority Fire and Rescue to celebrations at the gate, we strive to give the thousands of men and women who fly through our airports on Honor Flights they welcome they truly deserve,” Paolino says.
Some in the crowd welcoming the vets were smiling with tears in their eyes. There were 60 honor flights at Dulles last year and about 120 at Reagan National.
But as quickly as trips are organized, many Honor Flight supporters worry there isn’t enough time to get every World War II vet to Washington in time to see the memorial as this generation succumbs to age.
The age of the vets visiting from Michigan ranges from 91 to 96.
“They matter, and that’s why we do it,” says Patricia Donegan, hub director for Mid-Michigan Honor Flight.
