An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | May 30, 2014

Honoring our Heroes

By Joann Missey NORAD-USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

On May 4th, twenty-three World War II Veterans were welcomed home after a 3-Day - all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. thanks to Honor Flight of Southern Colorado.  It was a truly amazing unforgettable moment, catching everyone off guard and touching hearts and souls deeply.

Honor Flight of Southern Colorado is responsible for all veterans across 32 counties in southern Colorado.
These war heroes were returning home, once, again, but this time it is 50+ years later and there was a large reception of people anxiously waiting to see their husbands, fathers, grandfathers, great great grandfathers, or their friends, returning home safe and sound.  Joy was in the air; on the faces of not only the veterans but of their families and friends.  The diversity of people who were present sharing this experience was amazing.  They all had common denominators of love, respect and honor for those who served and sincerely deserve it ... Our Veterans.

Young children, tweens and even the young adults interacted with Veterans.  There were no signs of a generational gap as they all talked and laughed together.

Sal Ingraldi, Director Command Security NORAD-USNORTHCOM, is the President of the
Honor Flight of Southern Colorado. The Honor Flight team and the Guardians are remarkable and selfless people who put others before themselves.

Honor Flight of Southern Colorado is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization created solely to honor America's WWII Veterans for all their sacrifices. Through "The Honor Flight" they transport our heroes to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior Veterans- World War II along with those who may be terminally ill.  However, "The Honor Flight" vision goes well beyond World War II. In the future, "The Honor Flight" of Southern Colorado will also pay tribute to all of America's heroes who served during the Korean, Vietnam Wars followed by veterans of more current wars.

If interested, you can support the Honor Flight of Southern Colorado and our veterans through a variety of ways; visit
www.honorflightsoco.org, or on Facebook for more information on volunteering or by simply being in the crowd when these Veterans return home. Honor Flight of Southern Colorado holds open meetings the 4th Thursday of the month at 6pm at VFW Post 4051, located @ 430 E. Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs.  The next flight is 26-28 Sept 2014, your chance to welcome these heroes home will be posted on the NORAD-USNORTHCOM website.