39.0°,
Fair Giving WWII vets a ‘final mission’
(Page 2 of 5)
But the list of World War II veterans grows smaller by the day. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 640 of them die every day. In May, the department estimated that some 1.7 million of the 16 million who were involved in the war are still alive.
Honor Flight officials promote the trip as “One Final Mission.” “We’re one of the best-kept secrets,” said Rosenking. “And we’re fighting the clock. That’s why this final mission is so urgent.”
A long, patriotic day
Bob Kushner was 18 when he joined the Air Force during World War II. He spent the majority of his time in the military at the Pinecastle Air Force Base in Florida, where he helped test weapons.
Kushner, now 87 and an East Meadow resident since 1961, took the Honor Flight trip in October 2010, at the urging of Rosenking. The two met through their work on the school district’s Board of Education. Kushner, a board trustee from 1978 to 1998 and a past president, remained involved at meetings and eventually met Rosenking, who has been a trustee since 2010.
Kushner said he was surprised to learn of Honor Flight. “I was astonished that there was such an organization that provided such a service to veterans,” he said.
Honor Flight Long Island trips begin at MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, with flights leaving as early as 7 a.m., said Rosenking. Members of local Veterans of Foreign War organizations typically deliver breakfast bags to the veterans. From there, 40 to 50 veterans and their assigned guardian board a commercial flight to Baltimore, landing at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
It’s there where the surprises begin. When each flight lands, a crowd of spectators greet the veterans as they deplane — servicemen and women from each branch of the Armed Forces, military bands, volunteers and Honor Flight Long Island officials, including President Chris Cosich. Often, Rosenking said, former U.S. Sens. Bob Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, are there.
“It blows them away,” Rosenking said. “It’s like the Beatles landed … there’s hugs, there’s crying, there’s kisses.”
Honor Flight officials promote the trip as “One Final Mission.” “We’re one of the best-kept secrets,” said Rosenking. “And we’re fighting the clock. That’s why this final mission is so urgent.”
A long, patriotic day
Bob Kushner was 18 when he joined the Air Force during World War II. He spent the majority of his time in the military at the Pinecastle Air Force Base in Florida, where he helped test weapons.
Kushner, now 87 and an East Meadow resident since 1961, took the Honor Flight trip in October 2010, at the urging of Rosenking. The two met through their work on the school district’s Board of Education. Kushner, a board trustee from 1978 to 1998 and a past president, remained involved at meetings and eventually met Rosenking, who has been a trustee since 2010.
Kushner said he was surprised to learn of Honor Flight. “I was astonished that there was such an organization that provided such a service to veterans,” he said.
Honor Flight Long Island trips begin at MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, with flights leaving as early as 7 a.m., said Rosenking. Members of local Veterans of Foreign War organizations typically deliver breakfast bags to the veterans. From there, 40 to 50 veterans and their assigned guardian board a commercial flight to Baltimore, landing at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
It’s there where the surprises begin. When each flight lands, a crowd of spectators greet the veterans as they deplane — servicemen and women from each branch of the Armed Forces, military bands, volunteers and Honor Flight Long Island officials, including President Chris Cosich. Often, Rosenking said, former U.S. Sens. Bob Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, are there.
“It blows them away,” Rosenking said. “It’s like the Beatles landed … there’s hugs, there’s crying, there’s kisses.”
Page 2 / 5
Report an inappropriate comment
Comments