Over 100 World War Two Veterans got together Saturday afternoon at the Ark Church in Conroe to view the video that was produced on the last two Lone Star Honor Flight trips to Washington D.C.. They were also awarded certificates showing they were on the flight.
Jim McIngvale (Mattress Mac) spoke with the veterans and then assisted in circulating the certificates to them. He also invited them to spend a day with him the day before Veterans Day.
Brenda Beaven who started the Lone Star Honor Flight in Montgomery ISD was presented with a scrap book of photos from all five flights in which she organized the effort to send over 500 World War Two Veterans to Washington, D.C. for a one day trip. The logistics of raising the funds, arranging airline and bus travel, meal and escorts was also on her plate and the volunteers assisting her.
Some of these vets would never have seen the Memorial without the efforts of Blevins and the volunteers.
In addition to the scrap book Brenda was presented with an American Flag that with the help of Congressman Kevin Brady was flown over the capital.
One of the last flights Brenda didn’t think she would be able to go due to her daughter giving birth. The baby came early and Brenda was able to make the flight.
Congressman Kevin Brady and his staff were also big supporters of Lone Star Honor Flight. Congressman Brady gathered with the veterans at 3am for each of the five flights as they were gathering to depart Conroe for Bush Airport. Once in Washington D.C. he had made sure one of his assistants was also on hand for anything that may have been needed.
This was a tremendous help on the first flight when a sudden rain storm moved in with drenching rains, hurricane force winds, trees falling and lightning flashing as the veterans were at the World War Two monument. As most of the volunteers hunkered down, trying to get out of the rain the veterans seemed virtually unaffected as they stood in the rain.
With everyone soaked through and being a one day trip so that no clothes had been packed Brady’s assistant took the busses to a local Target store and virtually bought all their towels and t-shirts for the veterans.
From that point on ponchos were packed for each additional trip.
