Gail Hickman, Program Manager, QGenda, System Administrator, Anesthesia
As a Navy veteran, I have always had a special place in my heart for the military. But it was one Saturday afternoon at Palm Beach International Airport that inspired me to become more involved in honoring those who served.
I saw a notice inviting the community to welcome home veterans returning from an Honor Flight, a program that takes veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. I rushed to the airport, where I watched older veterans, some in wheelchairs, arrive to an outpouring of love and support. The smiles, tears, and gratitude on their faces left a lasting impression.
Soon after, I signed up my father, who served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War, for a flight and volunteered to accompany him as his guardian. Experiencing that day as his daughter, a fellow veteran, and his guardian was more meaningful than I could have imagined. My father suffered a traumatic brain injury, and one of the last photographs we have of him looking like himself was taken during that trip. It remains a treasured memory.
Since then, I have accompanied other veterans and formed friendships that have lasted well beyond the flights. Each trip brings moments of joy and reflection. At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, many search for the names of friends who never made it home. On the return flight, “mail call” brings letters and photographs from loved ones, often prompting tears and smiles. These moments remind me how deeply meaningful it is for veterans to feel appreciated and welcomed home, sometimes decades after their service.
I hope more people recognize that every veteran has a story worth hearing. Whether they served overseas or supported the military at home, each played a part in our history. We can honor them by listening, expressing our gratitude, and helping preserve their stories for future generations.
Honor Flight is entirely volunteer-run and relies on donations to fund its trips. Veterans fly at no cost, and volunteers serve as guardians, medical team members, and supporters behind the scenes.
You can learn more here and find a local hub to explore volunteer opportunities. Even welcoming veterans home at the airport can make a difference.
They served our country. We have an opportunity to make sure they know they are remembered.
A special note:
A few months ago, I stopped by the home of my first Honor Flight veteran (other than my father). I had developed a wonderful friendship with him and his wife since the flight. I noticed they had a photo of the two of us from our Honor Flight hanging on their calendar. They told me it had been there since the flight and that it meant so much to them. It was heartwarming to know that our time together through Honor Flight had been just as meaningful to them as it was to me.
Knowing how much that experience meant to him and his wife makes the memories we shared even more meaningful. I will always be grateful for their friendship and the time we spent together through Honor Flight.
