One of the most moving things that happens at Piedmont Triad International Airport twice a year is just around the corner: The fall Triad Honor Flight is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2 from the airport to the nation’s capital.
The Triad Honor Flight organization, which is a member of the Honor Flight Network, is undertaking its fall Honor Flight, which will take 100 Triad area veterans from PTI Airport to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who’ve served our country and sacrificed for it.
This year’s fall flight will include veterans who’ve earned the Purple Heart and served in World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War and the war in Vietnam.
Triad Honor Flight is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors that follows the Honor Flight Network’s guidelines.
Although the original Honor Flights from the Triad, which ran from 2009 to 2011, only included WWII vets, the establishment of the new organization – Triad Honor Flight – allows for the inclusion of all veterans ages 65 and up.
Triad Honor Flight Executive Director and Organizer Alison Huber said this week that, “Honor flight days are the most emotional days of the year for me. Having such a huge impact on the veterans warms my heart, and each flight is so memorable. And then to give them the type of welcome home celebration that we’ve come to know the past few flights – it’s truly unmatched. They deserve this; it’s the welcome home they’ve never received. I’m honored to play a part of it, and get to know these veterans – our Triad veterans.”
PTI Airport Executive Director Kevin Baker is equally as thrilled by the upcoming event.
“PTI is pleased to once again be a part of celebrating and thanking our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices for our country,” he said.
The group will depart PTI Airport on October 2. and a send-off ceremony will take place from 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.
The return-home ceremony will be held around 8:15 p.m. for anyone who wants to celebrate these soldiers who’ve served valiantly.
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend both the send-off and welcome-home celebrations.
Parking is free in any of the airport’s long-term lots or garages for the event.
I have been on one of these flights and I have a lot of respect for Alison Huber and her entire staff. I know that she and all the staff work hard to ensure that these flights go off without a hitch. Each flight is always a memorable event. I have high praise for Alison and all her associates. And everyone involved including PTI members and the airline pilots and their staff.