Tehama - The Magazine

By Rebecca Calkins Harold "Whitey" Riel of Los Molinos was one of a group of military veterans who recently returned from an emotional, thought- provoking three day trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. Mr. Riel, an 86 year old retired bricklayer, served our country as a Corpsman in the Korean War. He was wounded in action multiple times and is a recipient of a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Combat "V". The trip was hosted by the Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation, a non-profit organization that sponsors all-expense paid trips as a way to recognize and honor veterans for their wartime service. The veterans, each accompanied by a guardian, began their trip of remembrance at San Francisco International Airport where they boarded a plane bound for our nation's capital. Mr. Riel was accompanied by his son, John, and twenty-four other World War II and Korean War veterans, their gurardians and a group of volunteers. When their plane touched down in Baltimore, it was met with a gigantic arch of water made by two airport fire trucks using huge water cannons. The plane taxied under the arch, and the journey began. Upon entering the airport, and at every stop along the trip, the veterans were greeted by large crowds of people who had come specifically to cheer for, shake hands with, ask questions of, take photographs with, and thank the men for their service. While in the nation's capital, the veterans toured various monuments including the World War II, Korean War, Women In Military Service, Air Force and the Vietnam Memorials. They also visited the Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian Institution, American History Museum, U.S. Navy and Air Force Museums as well as Arlington National Cemetery. The trip was an emotional journey for the veterans, including Mr. Riel. Many memories, recessed for decades, came to the surface throughout the trip. The purpose of the trip isn't to stir up bad memories, but to remind these men of the bravery and courage that they showed in serving our country. One of the more significant parts of the trip for Mr. Riel, was the presence of the many young people who came to the various venues to pay tribute to the veterans. Mr. Riel, a former Boy Scout Pack Leader, was pleased to see the large numbers of Boy Scouts that gave them a heartfelt welcome. An especially touching moment during the trip was when Mr. Riel was surprised with a large envelope filled with letters of gratitude and appreciation from his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. At the end of their Honor Flight, the veterans flew from Reagan National airport to San Los Molinos Veteran Takes Honor Flight 4 TEHAMA - THE MAGAZINE, MAY 2018

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