Blue Ridge Honor Flight Fall 2022, Part III: 'Welcome home,' words long overdue
This is the third part of a three-part series that chronicles the Blue Ridge Honor Flight on Oct. 1 from Asheville to Washington, D.C. for veterans to see the war memorials. This final part talks about the flight back to Asheville and the arrival at Asheville Regional Airport that night.
Saturday, Oct. 1, the flight back home
8 p.m.
Prior to takeoff minutes before, the pilot announced that things may be a bit bumpy at the beginning, but that it should be a smooth flight back to Asheville. She then said, "We want to thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your service to our country. We'll have you back home in Asheville in a little over an hour."
She was right. The first few minutes, we hit some rough patches of air. I looked over at the former pilot sitting next to me, Charles Toler. He was already smiling.
"Dean, you heard her, right, about it being rough at the beginning? It'll be smooth the rest of the way," he said.
8:10 p.m.
We are about 15 minutes into our flight. The seatbelt sign is still on when Blue Ridge Honor Flight Leader Robert "Bob" Haggard gets up to make an announcement over the intercom.
More:Blue Ridge Honor Flight Fall 2022, Part II: 'Tell your stories... tell your stories'
"Before the internet, it was very difficult to stay in contact with home, so one of the very special things that would happen was when mail would catch up to a veteran who was on an assignment overseas. So, we have something that is going to remind you of those days," he said. "Right now, it's time to execute mail call."
And with that, the guardians unbuckled their seatbelts and began retrieving boxes from the overhead compartments. Each box was for an individual veteran and was full of letters — from area school children, family and friends. Toler gave his box to his good friend and fellow Vietnam veteran sitting with us, Paul Heflin. With tears filling his eyes, Heflin looked at Toler and nodded. Toler smiled.
Heflin put on his glasses and opened the box. It was filled to the brim with letters.
"This is very special... very special," Heflin said. "These are from individuals who support the foundation. This is pretty cool... how did you all do this, getting all these together? It's so special. This is a total surprise and such a neat way to say to us they appreciate us. I will treasure these."
Then Heflin took two more things out of the box: A certificate of appreciation from Blue Ridge Honor Flight and a letter of appreciation from US Senator Thom Tillis.
"Might want to get a photo of that one, Dean," Heflin said.
The man across the aisle pulled out a paper that was of a cartoon dog that had the words "THANK YOU HERO" at the top. He took off his glasses and wiped away tears.
9:02 p.m.
The airplane's wheels touch down at the Asheville Regional Airport. It was a smooth flight and landing, and I was so relieved. I texted Blue Ridge Honor Flight's founder, Jeff Miller with these words: "Touch down in Asheville!"
He replied immediately: "Saw you land."
Miller had not been on the flight due to a recent surgery. It was just the second flight he had missed.
"Hopefully the last," he texted to me. "Darn near killed me not to be there, but I worked the phones all day helping deal with the challenges up there. Bob (Haggard) and company did a fabulous job... so proud of our team. I'll be back for the April 29 flight."
The plane's pilot got back on the intercom as we rolled on the runway. "Welcome back home to Asheville. I would like everyone to turn off their lights ... the Asheville Fire Department has a special welcome home salute."
As we rolled on, the plane made a turn and to the left was a firetruck, with its lights on, spraying a huge stream of water.
9:20 p.m.
They announced for the staff and media to exit the plane first. When I arrived in the terminal, the first man I came to was Jeff, who was all smiles. "How was this experience?" he said. I beamed... "Unforgettable," I said.
More:Blue Ridge Honor Flight Fall 2022, Part I: 'God wanted us to be there'
Miller had organized a grand welcome back ceremony for the veterans, complete with a bagpipe group and drums along with area JROTC units with American Flags lined on opposite sides of the terminal. It was quite a sight to see.
Miller guided me to the best spot to get photos and videos of the reception for the veterans.
"When you hear the bagpipes, they're coming," he said.
9:35 p.m.
The bagpipes begin. Minutes later, the first part of the procession makes its way toward us. It begins with a banner for the World War II veteran, 96-year-old Foster Gooding, who is in a wheelchair and waving and smiling to the crowd. Next is the banner for the Korean War veterans, followed by the Vietnam veterans.
I'm taking a video and photos at the same time. As the Vietnam veterans make their way in, Heflin is in the middle and makes his way over to me and gives me a fist pump. Moments later, my now good friend Anthony Sweat did the same. It's hard holding back the tears, so I don't.
The procession lasts about 15 minutes. You can hear people yelling "Welcome home" all through it. Veterans' eyes were full of tears as they stared in awe at the crowd. It was a welcome long overdue.
10:03 p.m.
I hop on the shuttle bus that takes me back to my car across the street. People on the shuttle are still in tears. It's been quite an emotional day that started 16 hours ago.
As I'm leaving the shuttle, I reach to my back pocket... yep, cell phone is there, and it's full of photos, videos and voices that should never be forgotten and should always be cherished. They will.
Veterans interested in going on a future Honor Flight can learn more by visiting www.blueridgehonorflight.com or calling 828-776-0650.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Blue Ridge Honor Flight Fall 2022, Part III: 'Welcome home,' words long overdue
