Two years ago today we had our first experience with Honor Flight. To say it was amazing is an understatement. It was life-changing. For one week we met and greeted the HF's coming in to the WWII Memorial in DC, handing out roses, hugs, handshakes. And that was only the beginning. In some ways it seems like so much longer than two years (in the very best way!), but then it's as clear as if it were yesterday. It was the start of many wonderful memories; meeting some of the dearest people on earth. The Honor Flight family is truly one of a kind. Below is what we wrote after the first day of Honor Flight:

““We arrived in Washington DC last night.This week we have the privilege of welcoming World War II veterans coming in on honor flights to visit “their” Memorial, the National World War II Memorial. There will be hundreds this week. “We will never see another gathering of veterans of this number again.”

We visited the memorial with a very special guide, John W. McCaskill, a National Park Service representative and World War II historian we met three years ago in Pearl Harbor. His passion for honor and history is simply infectious. He walked us around the beautifully lit memorial with zeal and enthusiasm, explaining every aspect: The eagles, the fountain, the emblems, the gold stars, the bas reliefs, and on and on. Today we will greet veterans at the airport and at the memorial.” (September 23, 2014)”

Spiffy dinner dates, and a fabulous time at the 36th Infantry Division "T-Patchers" Reunion this weekend... On the bus yesterday at Ft. Sam, our friend Mr. Dietrick pointed out the places he grew up, hunted rabbits, and took training. Other vets shared stories of meeting famous Generals in Africa, the Italian campaign, POW status, and lots more. So happy to have been with these great men. Below are some of the highlights we shared on Instagram.

We're at Fort Sam Houston today with the 36th Infantry Division Reunion for commemoration of the Invasion of Salerno in 1944! Interesting note: The chapel the service was held in is the same chapel where Mr. Dietrick's brother's funeral service was held in 1940. His brother was accidentally killed when his gun misfired as he was coming off guard duty. That was 76 years ago.

Just found this one from the 36th Infantry Division Reunion last week... Meet the Scarborough brothers. We mistook them for twins (as everyone else did) but they're actually 6 years apart! John, the younger (left), doesn't like this so much but he's a good sport. Both served in the 36th, one in WWII, the other during the Korea War. Together they make a pretty cute set of brothers who kept us in stitches of laughter the whole time.