Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1499555
Page 12 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, May 18-May 24, 2023 Two female veterans — Michelle Hol- comb, nurse and Mary Presnell, assis- tant to the commander, also made the trip. Ironically the pilot fl ying the plane was a female and numerous times throughout the fl ight to Bal- timore she came over the intercom and expressed her gratitude to every veteran and for their service to the country. "It's an honor to fl y you to- day," she said. She had been waiting for years to be able to join the fl ight, she said. Since its beginning in 2006 the BRHF with leader Jeff Miller of Hendersonville along with dozens of other volunteers, more than 3,000 veterans from Hendersonville and an additional 2,000 to 3,000 other vet- erans from Western North Carolina have made the BRHF trips. Other Honor Flights originate in other parts of the state or nation. It was a long day for the veter- ans, but at each stop along the way, in airports and all memorials, they were saluted and thanked for their service by other veterans, Scout troops, young students and the gen- eral public. Many held signs thanking them. Walking off the plane at the Baltimore Memorial Airport, veterans tearfully be- tween two lines of service men saluting them. Four chartered buses took the vet- erans and others to the war memorials throughout the day with the last stop at Arlington National Cemetery where veterans witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Sol- dier. The fi rst stop was at the Lincoln Me- morial, where a wreath laying ceremony was held on the steps of the Memorial overlooking the Washington Mall area. From there veterans either walked or were pushed in wheelchairs to the Viet- nam War Memorial Wall and the Korean War Memorial and there was a brief stop at the World War II Memorial. The tour buses also took the veterans to the Marine Corps War Memorial and Air Force Memorial before arriving at Ar- lington National Cemetery. When the plane landed at Asheville Regional Airport after the 15 hour day, veterans were met by a large crowd of people welcoming them home. Bagpipes were played as veterans walked from the plane to the hangar where the crowd ap- plauded them, wives hugged their hus- bands and children hugged their parents or grandparents. Vietnam veteran Larry Lawing of Rutherford County was met at the airport by his niece Carol Ramsey. "She was 10 years old when I got back from Viet- nam in 1968. She came with my parents," Larry said. "It wasn't like this be- fore," Lawing said of his 1968 return from Vietnam. "Seeing the crowd there, well, it was closure for me," Lawing said. Coast Guard veteran David Brooks described the day as "one of the highlights of my life." Brooks was met in Asheville by his wife Kaye and a number of friends from Florence Baptist Church where Brooks, Moore, Callahan and Spurlin are members. Terry Moore was surprised at the air- port by his wife Dale. "It was really a surprise," Terry said, who added "we never got a welcome home before." He thanked BRHF for everything they did to make the trip so special. Holly Spurlin Fisher, daughter of Viet- nam vet Calvin Spurlin came to Asheville from her home near Weddington. Grand- daughter Ellison accompanied her and the two held signs to welcome Calvin home. "What a joy it was to be in the airplane hanger to welcome these men and wom- en home. Most were Vietnam Veterans and never received any kind of home- coming when they returned. They were greeted with bagpipes, fl ags, cheers, hugs, thank yous and welcome homes. It was long overdue but I'm so blessed to have experienced it. Ellison and I, along with my parent's lifelong friend Dale and some sweet members from their Flor- ence church family were all there to sur- prise them. Dad did not know we were coming so the smile on his face when he saw us was priceless and one I will never forget! For me, it was a day that reminded me why America is so great…everyday men and women are ready to answer the call to defend the freedoms that we enjoy when needed. I'm so thankful." Holly encouraged anyone who has an opportunity to participate in the Honor fl ight to do so. After families were reunited at the air- port, there were hugs, tears and a relief for many, they fi nally had closure. They were fi nally home. The next Blue Ridge Honor Flight is October 14 and applications will be avail- able for veterans and guardians. There are many ways to help, espe- cially through fi nancial donations and volunteering time. The fl ights are no cost to veterans. At the Asheville airport, these young cadets welcomed the veterans home from the Blue Ridge Honor Flight to Washington, DC. Posing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, are the nearly 90 veterans from Western North Carolina aboard the Blue Ridge Honor Flight. The veterans included at least six Rutherford County veterans along with their guardians. Veterans saluting the United States fl ag and other veterans at the Lincoln Memorial. The World War II Memorial on a beautiful day in Washington. Holly Spurlin Fisher (left) of Weddington and Dale Moore of Forest City with Welcome Home signs for their family members. Holly was there for her Dad Calvin Spurlin of Forest City and Dale was there for her husband Terry. Rutherford County Vietnam veterans Mike Callahan (left to right) Calvin Spurlin, Terry Moore and David Brooks with guardian Tonya Garrison near the Vietnam War Memorial. Greeting loved ones as they returned home. Continued from front page.