Thank you for your service: Bedford and Lewisboro veterans honored at 'Honor Flight' in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the Saturday following Memorial Day, five local veterans traveled to Washington, D.C., as guests of the Honor Flight Network. Their one-day, all-expenses-paid trip started early in the morning with a rousing sendoff from Westchester Airport.

The overall group of around 66 veterans, each with an escort guardian to aid them during the trip, visited the major war memorials honoring those who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Arlington National Cemetery, where they attended the changing of the guard, was the last stop on their tour before they prepared to head home.

The veterans who went from our area included two Army veterans from Bedford: George Rosamond, who served in South Korea in 1966-1967, and Jim Polos, who was also stationed in South Korea when the USS Pueblo was attacked and captured by North Korea in early 1968.

Three more came from Lewisboro: Bill Hamilton, who served in Vietnam from 1967-1968 in the Army; Paul Black, an Army veteran who served from 1969-1971 at Fort Carson, Colorado; and Les Simon, who served as an Air Force dentist from 1968-1970 in Denver, Colorado.

The visit was a special day that generated a range of reflections.

While they served in different locations, all five served during the Vietnam War era (1955-1975), when military service was not appreciated or respected as it is today. Wearing the uniform off-base was not recommended during this period, and listing military service on a résumé was often avoided as well, recalled one veteran, who also remembered being booed by war protesters while leading a company of young soldiers during a Memorial Day parade in 1968.

So, for the vast majority of Honor Flight passengers, who, like the five above, were Vietnam-era veterans, the sendoff and welcome home that night at Westchester Airport were new experiences. Jim Polos summed it up:

"The kindness and generosity associated with the Honor Flight was the first time many veterans who were overseas during the 1960s actually experienced appreciation or a welcome on that scale."

Their gratitude and appreciation extended further to the planning and execution of the trip as well.

The day started early, with veterans gathering at 6 a.m. at the Elmsford ShopRite, a major sponsor of Hudson Valley Honor Flights. They grabbed coffee, snacks and trip materials before an escorted caravan to Hangar D.

With passengers delivered to a cheering crowd, the three coach buses made way for an American Airlines 737 that taxied right up to the open hangar door, almost poking its nose in as it awaited the boarding of its special guests.

Bill Hamilton captured the overall sentiments of the honorees regarding their treatment:

"It was an amazing day from the early morning ceremony send-off to the welcome home that night. The number of people involved in actively honoring us Vets, was mind boggling… the staff and volunteers (Guardians) from the Hudson Valley Honor Flight organization, the high school band, the Color Guard, the police and Veteran motorcycle escort, the water cannon salute at both airports…"

But, of course, the trip was about respect and reflection on service, duty and sacrifice at memorials in our nation's capital.

At the Vietnam Memorial, Bill Hamilton's guardian assisted him in finding his fallen company commander's name on the wall. Many felt the emotional weight of this stop.

While all five from our area were Vietnam-era veterans, the World War II Memorial was a particularly meaningful and solemn visit for Jim Polos. He and his son, Tom, who flew in from his home in California to be his guardian escort for the day, were welcomed at the memorial by Jim's two daughters, who traveled up from nearby states.

There, they looked up the name of James Polos, Jim's father. His father died in Europe in November 1944, one month after Jim's birth. Besides his son, Jim brought his father's Purple Heart on the trip, too.

At the Korean War Memorial, George Rosamond was approached by a woman of Korean descent. He felt a renewed sense of pride when she thanked him profusely for what the United States had done for Korea.

At the last stop, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, a strong sense of reverence and reflection was felt across the group.

From Les Simon: "The changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery was really special."

Paul Black's impression paralleled that, observing, "… I think this was the highlight and the most moving of the entire trip. There is a part of the changing of the guard where the sentry recognizes the Veterans …"

After the tour of the memorials, the veterans had a sit-down dinner before heading back to Reagan National Airport to return home.

It was during the flight back that a much-treasured aspect of military service resurfaced for all the veterans — Mail Call. Hudson Valley Honor Flight staff members on board distributed fat envelopes, sometimes two, with a veteran's name on them.

It was like the old days — Rosamond? Here! Polos? Here! Black? Here! Hamilton? Here! Simon? Here! — as the envelopes were passed down the aisle.

Having been alerted to the men's Honor Flight, friends, family members and appreciative strangers had filled the big envelopes with personal notes expressing best wishes and gratitude for their service. They all seemed touched by the gesture.

Upon landing back at Westchester at 8 p.m., the veterans were received by an enthusiastic, sign-waving welcome-home crowd of friends and family in the main terminal.

A glow of gratification and gratitude also came from the roles played by the guardians. These volunteers — some specifically requested by the veterans and, in other cases, assigned to them — paid their own way, were trained on what to expect and were eager to assist their veteran.

On his guardian, one veteran remarked: "I will never be able to thank or repay Jeannine for what she gave me that day. She put me first before everything and allowed me to just soak it in and enjoy."

Another added: "Every Vet had a "guardian". Mine was Kristen - she and all the other volunteers worked so hard to ensure our special day was perfect."

It was a long day, but an eventful, meaningful and grateful one, with significant memories made by all involved.

Welcome home, George, Jim, Bill, Paul and Les! Thank you for your service.

Article submitted jointly courtesy of Bedford and Lewisboro Veterans Advisory Committees.