Thirteen United States military veterans of the Korean War, all of whom live at the Laclede Groves senior living community in Webster Groves, traveled together to Washington, DC on a special one-day trip organized by Greater St. Louis Honor Flight (GSLHF).
They visited the Korean War Memorial and 7 other memorials. This is the largest group of veterans residing in the same senior living community in the St. Louis area to ever participate on the same Honor Flight since the St. Louis hub of the program began in 2008.
A total of 22 St. Louis area veterans were a part of the March 4 trip.
“We feel very fortunate for these 13 veterans to be able to have made this trip together,” said Bill Sei, the organizer for GSLHF who recruited the Laclede Groves contingent. “It took a great deal of planning to get this particular group all on the same flight, and we are pleased to have been able to make this happen given the popularity of this trip among World War II and Korean War veterans in St. Louis and around the country.”
“We have a Veterans Club at Laclede Groves that meets monthly and participates in activities together,” said Naomi Smith, Director of Lifestyle Enrichment at Laclede Groves. “In 2014 we had nine World War II veterans from Laclede Groves that participated on Honor Flights, and it was very meaningful to them. We are thrilled that so many of our Korean War veterans, all of whom are in their late 70s and early 80s, were so fortunate to experience what other veterans are talking about.”
America’s World War II veterans are passing at the rate of 430 per day. GSLHF is committed to safely transporting America’s most senior military veterans to Washington DC, to experience the memorials built in their honor.
Since its launch in 2008, GSLHF has safely traveled with more than 1500 local veterans. This experience is provided at zero cost to veterans. Each travels with a Guardian, who insures not only their safety but also that their experience is profound and fulfilling.