The Peru Gazette

On Saturday May 17, 2014 Ed Eisele of Peru escorted his mother Peg Eisele, a World War II Navy WAVE, on a North Country Honor Flight to Washington DC. Jeff Pescia of Plattsburgh escorted Joe Kelly of Peru. Both escorts were kind enough to send The Peru Gazette several photos and Ed was kind enough to submit a narrative describing the trip.  Click here to view a slideshow with music (music plays on a PC) of their photos.  Click here to view individual photos. 

By Ed Eisele

The North Country Honor Flight is dedicated to transporting as many US military veterans as possible to see the memorials of World War II in Washington DC at no cost to the veteran.  The veterans of the Honor Flights are escorted by volunteer guardians who help them on the flight and around the monuments in Washington. Everyone has an escort. The Peru veterans and escorts were led by an honor guard of two motorcycles and state police with lights flashing to the parade grounds on the old Air Force Base in Plattsburgh at 6:00 in the morning.

Upon their arrival many veterans, former Honor Flight escorts, scouts, citizens and media were in attendance. There was patriotic music playing as well as music from the WWII era (Don’t Sit under the Apple Tree). At the parade grounds the veterans and escorts registered, received nametags and a goodie bag with snacks and the itinerary.  Some were interviewed twice-once by the local cable TV and by the Peru Internet newspaper The Peru Gazette.

After everyone had checked in, there was a brief ceremony with reveille, flag ceremony and announcement of Honor Flight men who had passed away while taps was played followed by a 21 gun salute. Honor Flight veterans were introduced and local dignitaries said a few words. As the escorts brought the veterans to the bus, they were roundly applauded by families and all the well-wishers both veteran and civilian. Again, a full contingent of motorcycles, fire engines and varied law enforcement vehicles lead the way to the terminal. Enroute there were more fire vehicles, police and a huge American flag hoisted above the highway.

When they arrived at the Plattsburgh airport, the veterans again received enthusiastic applause from many people. A section of the airport building was set up for us. The executive director of the North Country Honor Flight, Dan Kaifetz greeted everyone. After the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the Star Spangled Banner, dignitaries such as Congressman Bill Owens and NYS Legislator Janet Duprey spoke. All 15 veterans were again introduced with a short biography of what each did in wartime and then they were dismissed to go through TSA and board the plane.

As the plane taxied for takeoff, two Plattsburgh Air Force Base fire engines shot streams of water over the plane.  On the flight the plane had to stop at Islip Air Field on Long Island to refuel due to stronger than expected head winds. Since this was an unscheduled stop, it set our trip back an hour.

The plane landed in Baltimore and many military men and women from all branches of the service received the vets. Civilian passengers of all ages joined in the receiving line as well. Then the vets and escorts boarded the bus to Washington with several sailors accompanying us for the day.

Upon arrival at the World War II Memorial, approximately 30 Saranac High School students who are members of the “Freedom Club” greeted the vets. Then Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole received the veterans. At this point, the veterans were able to convey appreciation for Dole’s spearheading the building of the monument.  We were also able to have our picture taken with the Doles.  We spent an hour there speaking to visitors and viewing the monument.

Next, the bus took a tour of Arlington Cemetery enroute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where we observed the changing of the guard ceremony. Upon leaving the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the host Dan pointed out the grave marker for Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in American history. The next stop was the Iwo Jima Monument, which was also most impressive.

Returning from Washington to Baltimore, the bus stopped at a VFW for dinner. On arrival in Baltimore, the vets boarded the plane and once in the air, they were surprised by a special “mail call”. Each of them received an excess of letters from family, friends, students, and veteran organizations thanking them for their service and offering their well wishes.  When landing in Plattsburgh, a very enthusiastic crowd once again warmly received the group.

Click here to view The Peru Gazette’s slideshow of the Honor Flight’s U.S. Oval and Plattsburgh International Airport ceremonies.