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Hugs for heroes
St. Andrew the Apostle students welcome World War II veterans to Dulles Airport.
Every year from early spring to late fall chartered planeloads of World War II veterans land at Dulles International Airport. From the planes, the veterans board buses to visit the World War II Memorial built in their honor in Washington, D.C. It’s an entire day. At the end, they return to Dulles Airport and fly home. The men and women are there thanks to volunteers from Heroes Welcome, an affiliate of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 180 in Vienna and the Honor Flight Network. To honor World War II heroes during the week of Veterans Day, 50 students from St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton waited at the airport to cheer, hug and thank these men and women who sacrificed so much for their country. Anita McCaskey, a parent volunteer from St. Andrew, came up with the idea of having students write notes and letters thanking them for their service — a kind of “mail call.” She brought the idea to Principal Glenda Sigg and the idea to welcome the veterans at the airport was started. The veterans that landed Nov. 9 were the second group in two days. These men and women were from Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline, Ill. As the plane taxied to the gate, two fire trucks saluted them with an arch of water from fire hoses shot over the plane. This honor is reserved for fallen firefighters and veterans. Most were in wheelchairs, but many walked through the waiting area and then down a corridor with the students on either side reaching out to shake their hands and touch them. “It’s wonderful. I’m still crying,” said veteran Irvin McDougal. “I think it’s nice to support the veterans,” said seventh-grader Skyler Behn. “They need to be supported for what they have done.” Many of the vets wept openly. Heroes Welcome volunteer Line Kerr told the children that these men and women were sometimes forgotten. Many have no family. She said they need hugs and kisses. “I haven’t been kissed on the cheek in two years,” a veteran told Kerr during a recent visit after someone kissed him. One veteran walked down beaming at the students who were shouting “thank you” to him. With tears in his eyes he said, “No, really, thank you, thank you so much.”
On the web heroeswelcome.org and honorflight.org
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Wow! What a phenominal thing for this school to do. It's about time that adults started teaching children about the sacrifices that were made for their freedom. I have a child in the public school and they don't even take the time to ANNOUNCE that it's Veteran's Day. This alone makes me re-think my educational decisions. I wonder if St. Andrews has any openings!
Hi MomOf3 - Yes we have openings at St. Andrews! We offer Preschool through 8th grade. I have 3 daughters and all have gone to St. Andrews since Preschool. My youngest is now in 7th grade. I would be happy to answer any of your questions! You can contact me at ddogrady@verizon.net. Also, here is our school website url: http://standrew-clifton.org/. We are do a lot of service work for the church and community. It is truly worth the financial sacrifice to offer your kids this opportunity to learn in a nuturing and godly way. There is also financial assistance available. God Bless you for posting your comment!
It WAS phenomenal!! The kids gave our heroes so much love and support not to mention "rock star" status they so deserve! It was a very emotional day for everyone, and already the students were asking when they could go back to greet more veterans.
I hope all Diocesan schools take the opportunity to greet an Honor Flight whether it be at one of our 3 airports or at the WWII Memorial itself. This year's "season" is nearing an end as it is more difficult for the veterans, who range in age from 86 to late-90s, to visit their memorial during the winter months. Flights will begin arriving in March/April, so PLEASE check the flight schedule at www.heroeswelcome.org and find out other ways to get involved -- donations, greeting, writing thank you cards and spending the day with the veterans as a Guardian.
There is also a fundraiser being held at the American Legion Hall in Vienna, VA on November 13th from 6pm to 11:30 pm. It is a WWII Era themed Karaoke Night, Honor Flight founder Earl Morse will be stopping by with WWII Veterans traveling with him. Active duty personnel from the Pentagon will be judging. The volunteers are hoping to raise $10,000 to sponsor Veterans to visit their Memorial.
Go to www.heroeswelcome.org and click on "donations" for more information. Also available are commemorative WWII coins and pins that help support a veteran's trip to see his memorial.
THANK YOU!
Anita McCaskey
St. Andrew's Parent