WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the United States of America just celebrated the 247th anniversary of its independence this week it’s important to remember that freedom is never truly free. Millions have given their lives or put their lives in jeopardy over the centuries to ensure that their fellow Americans are free to live their lives as they choose and pursue what makes them happy.
Since 2009, the non-profit Honor Flight New England has flown more than 2,000 New England military veterans to our nation’s capital for a day of remembrance and gratitude while touring war memorials, meeting thankful Americans, and seeing the sights of the capital.
This past spring, North Reading resident Jay Gurry was honored with such a trip to Washington, D.C.
Gurry, an Army veteran who served with the 28th Infantry “Black Lions” Regiment in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 and received two Purple Heart medals and a Bronze Star, was anonymously nominated to be honored by Honor Flight. He was accompanied by friend and Honor Flight volunteer Kevin Spicer.
The day began early at Logan Airport, where State Police escorted the roughly 40 veterans to an emotional send off by family, active-duty military, police, firefighters, Scouts, and Patriot Guard Riders. Arriving at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport, these WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans were once again greeted with a crowd of many, welcoming them to this day of appreciation in their city.
Throughout the day there were constant greetings and messages of thanks for the veterans. At each stop in Washington, D.C., from the Vietnam and Korean War memorials to the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery, large crowds gathered to shake hands and show their support.
The veterans were provided a front row seat to the wreath laying ceremony and changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Amidst the many flights, bus rides and meals, the veterans had time to share stories with each other about their service, their return to the states, families and careers. Their stories and conversations were a reminder of the difficulties of wartime service and the long-term impacts it has had on their lives, both good and bad.
At the end of the day, the weary group of veterans were met at Logan Airport by yet another boisterous group waiting for them – the warm welcome home that many had never gotten. Many of the veterans were emotionally spent and exhausted but smiled as they thanked the many volunteers that helped make this day happen.
Gurry later described his experience with Honor Flight as “tremendous” from start to finish. It was a very long day as the veterans arrived at Logan Airport at 6:30 a.m. and did not return until 1:30 a.m. the next day. “It was very nice. It was a long time coming but I’m glad it came,” he told the Transcript.
After receiving the State Police escort to the Logan Airport, he was amazed to see over 200 people greeting them there for their departure. He noted that the TSA provided their own Honor Guard for them and gave them expedited service. “Then, when we got to the gate, the State Police set up a table for us to have coffee, bagels, juice, water, all that stuff. It was tremendous.”
“When we landed in Maryland there was a small group of people thanking us,” Gurry recalled. “And even in Washington at one of the memorials the guy that organizes this (trip) knew that a group of students from California was coming. They were coming to Washington to look at the memorials and then they were going to Gettysburg. And they stood and greeted us at the World War II memorial. It was just unbelievable.”
For Gurry, the attention was “a total, total surprise.” He said it was his first official recognition for his service. “It’s not that I was looking for recognition. The Vietnam guys never got any. I got wounded so many times I was medi-vacced to the hospital so I didn’t get the insults that other guys got coming home. I came through the hospital and got discharged through the hospital,” he said.
Honor Flight organizers require each veteran to have a guardian assigned to them at all times during the trip, Gurry said, given the ages and frailty of some veterans, some of whom are in their 90s. “When we landed one of the older gentlemen, unfortunately, had an issue so they took him to the hospital,” he said. On the way back, another “old timer” needed medical attention as well, he said.
Each guardian had a wheelchair but Gurry didn’t need it. With his friend and neighbor, Kevin Spicer, serving as his guardian, who knew Gurry was serious when he said: “I’m not going if I can’t walk!” he simply pushed an empty wheelchair around D.C. “just in case” it was needed.
Gurry was impressed by how well organized every facet of the trip had been. Although he was nominated to participate anonymously, he learned that a hospital nurse had recommended him. “It was nice that she did that for me,” he told the Transcript. Following that initial recommendation he was unable to go due to health reasons so he was very happy to have the opportunity to participate this time around.
“When we got to Maryland they shuttle bused us to the memorials. We visited a couple of memorials and then they brought us back to the bus where we had boxed lunches from Arby’s. He must have had 300 boxed lunches, which we ate in the air conditioned bus.”
The visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was especially memorable for Gurry. “During the ceremony the guard scraped his heel and that was a salute to the veterans that were there. That was pretty cool. It was like a tap on a tap dancer’s shoe,” he said.
At the end of a long and satisfying day the entire group was treated to a nice turkey dinner at the Hilton in Maryland before the weary group headed back to the airport for the flight home.
Editor’s note: Special thanks to Noah Spicer for providing the background information about Honor Flight and the particulars of this trip for this story as well as arranging the photographs to be sent the Transcript. To be a part of this amazing experience please visit the website for Honor Flight of New England, honorflightnewengland.org to volunteer or contribute to this special group