Honoring a Korean War Vet.

On Saturday, November 9, 2019, my husband's Grandfather participated in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Wayne served during the Korean conflict from September 24, 1953 to September 8, 1955. He served in the 21st MP detachment C1 as a stenographer, Army, Adjutant General School with the rank of Private First Class. Kevin's Dad, Steve, escorted him on the flight to Washington DC.

It was a long day for our Hero. He was picked up around 3:00 am, for a 4:30 am flight, and arrived back in Milwaukee at 8:45 pm. As we were receiving pictures and updates throughout his journey, we could tell the day was an extra special one for Wayne. {Be sure to take a peak at the bottom of this post for some of those moments!}

We helped celebrate the homecoming of our Hero at Milwaukee International Airport last night. It was something beyond anything I have seen before. The amount of sacrifice, Patriotism and dedication was palpable. Respect was found around every corner, due to the unbelievable debt given by these amazing men & women.

I can honestly say, I have never seen a larger smile on Wayne's face prior to last night when we first saw him turn that corner onto the parade route. Throughout the day, they had visited many of the War Memorials in Washington DC; WWII, Air Force Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Korean Vets, Vietnam Memorial, and the list goes on. I can only imagine the emotions that were running through his mind, and this final greeting was the culmination which can only be saved for those most dear.

Veteran's Day is tomorrow, November 11th.

Sign board listing different veteran status categories at a military event.
People holding signs displaying military branch categories at a veterans event.
Statistical tally board showing demographic counts for different military conflicts.

Welcome Home, Papa.

A festive crowd gathers at an event wearing patriotic accessories and leis.
A group of spectators wearing patriotic leis smile during an event.
Event attendees wearing red white and blue leis enjoy festivities together.
A small American flag is held up during a patriotic event.
Starbucks coffee shop entrance with patriotic star balloons and Concourse C gate signs.
Someone holds up a thank you sign with red white and blue decorations at an event.
A spectator wearing patriotic leis and a white sweater smiles at an indoor event.
People gather outside a Starbucks coffee shop with star-shaped balloons in the background.
Two attendees wearing patriotic decorations pose together at an indoor event.
Large crowd gathering inside industrial space with high ceilings and support columns.
A child and adult share a patriotic pinwheel at an indoor gathering.
Black and white photo of flag bearer at patriotic gathering.
Crowd waves American flags at indoor rally near columns.
American flags held high at indoor gathering in black and white.
Crowd gathers outside Starbucks storefront with American flags.
Red Alpha sign held up in front of Starbucks Coffee storefront.
Black and white image of uniformed personnel with flags at Starbucks.
Crowd gathered inside wearing patriotic colors and caps.
Close-up black and white shot of small American flag being held.
Two enthusiastic fans wearing red and blue jackets enjoy a crowded event with audience members in the background.
Two supporters in matching uniform jackets share an animated moment during a lively indoor gathering.
Two companions in coordinating red and blue jackets share joyful expressions at a patriotic event.
A black and white photo shows two attendees in baseball caps and jackets at a crowded indoor event.
Two supporters in red and blue jackets stand among a crowd during an indoor celebration.
A small group of people gather for conversation in a dimly lit indoor space.
People gather in conversation near glass doors at an indoor venue.
A crowd mingles at an indoor event with patriotic decorations visible.
People gather for conversation at an indoor event with patriotic decorations.
A black and white photo captures people interacting at an indoor gathering.
A group of people having an animated conversation in a building lobby.
A candid black and white photo of people embracing at an indoor gathering.
People gathered at an indoor event wearing patriotic accessories and name tags.
People sharing a joyful moment at an indoor celebration event.
A black and white candid shot of people interacting at an indoor gathering.
Two attendees at an indoor event wearing patriotic decorations and name badges.
A black and white photo of a group posing together at an indoor event.
A group photo of event attendees wearing name badges and casual attire.
People at an event displaying a sign board with text and photographs.
A lively group interaction at an indoor community gathering.
A black and white photo shows a vintage welcome home celebration with a military service appreciation sign on display.
A heartwarming homecoming celebration scene showing a welcome home sign being held in an indoor gathering.
A group photo taken during a welcome home celebration in a building lobby.
A black and white capture of a joyous homecoming moment showing a welcome sign being displayed.
Two attendees at an indoor celebration event wearing patriotic colors.
An emotional black and white photo capturing a tender moment during a homecoming celebration.
A warm indoor gathering showing participants at a welcome home celebration.
An indoor celebration scene with participants sharing a moment during a homecoming event.
A group poses together during an indoor welcome home celebration event.
A family group photo taken during a welcome home celebration in an indoor venue.
Group photo at a veterans gathering showing attendees wearing name badges and casual attire in an indoor venue.
Small group poses at veterans event with an elderly person in front wearing a patriotic scarf.
Two people wearing blue and red jackets with matching event badges stand together at an indoor gathering.
PS: if you ask Wayne (HUGE sports fan), i'm sure one of his biggest highlights of the day was chatting with Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Brent Suter throughout the day (he was accompanying a fellow Vet on his journey).
A person in a bright red jacket greets others in an indoor venue.
A black and white candid shot of people interacting in a dimly lit indoor space.
A sports fan in red and gray with a backpack interacts with someone wearing blue in an indoor venue.
Two attendees in contrasting blue and red jackets pose against a modern architectural backdrop.
Two event participants wearing coordinating blue and red jackets with matching badges sit together indoors.
Collage of veterans event showing Alpha banner, American flag, and crowd gatherings.
Event attendee in blue jacket with name badge walking through corridor under gate D5 sign.
Military veterans fill a tour bus during a memorial visit wearing red and blue clothing and baseball caps.
Veterans stand next to a Wisconsin state monument during an autumn day visit.
A veteran observes the memorial wall covered in stars and plaques on display.
Military guards stand at attention while being observed at a memorial ceremony.
A veteran wearing a navy blue cap and jacket stands in front of autumn trees at a memorial site.
Veterans gather together wearing baseball caps and jackets during a memorial visit.
Korean War Memorial statues stand in formation as visitors observe the monument.
A visitor reflects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall with names etched in black granite.
Veterans visit the National Mall with the Washington Monument visible in the background.
The Iwo Jima Memorial statue silhouetted against a blue sky with American flag waving.
A visitor in a blue jacket reads the etched text on a memorial wall displaying the word 'COURAGE'.

For those of you not familiar with the Honor Flight Program, "Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, Inc. honors veterans with a life-changing trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials and experience a day of honor and thanks."