Clark County Commissioner Lowell McGlothin walks the crowded terminal at Dayton International Airport on Saturday, April 1. The terminal is overwhelmed by patriots from all walks of life as they welcome home veterans returning from their Honor Flight. ANDY GRIMM | PHOTO

All expectations Clark County Commissioner and Vietnam Veteran Lowell McGlothin had about going on an Honor Flight were blown out of the water from the moment he arrived at Dayton International Airport in the wee hours of April Fool’s Day.

“I was really just expecting to take a nice trip and hoped to have the opportunity to talk to a few vets from WWII and Korea...but (the Honor Flight) was just so much more than I imagined it would be,” says McGlothin, “It’s hard to put into words how special the day was for me and the other vets.”

McGlothin was one of approximately 130 veterans who served during the WWII, Korea, and/or Vietnam wars who gathered together on April 1 to make the trek to Washington D.C. to visit the nation’s war memorials. The one day trip was hosted by the Honor Flight program and is completely paid for through private donations and corporate sponsorships.

Honor Flight Board Member, David Bauer, says the program began in Clark County in 2005 when the local physician assistant and Retired Air Force Captain, Earl Morse, organized a group of 11 local pilots to take 12 of the WWII veterans he treated to see the WWII Memorial that opened in 2004. Morse was adamant that the pilots would cover all costs and would also serve as escorts to the vets throughout the day.

The flight proved so popular, several more flights were organized. Soon, commercial jets were used so as many WWII vets as possible could participate. By the end of 2006, Honor Flight Dayton had flown 437 local vets to see their memorial. The idea soon caught the imagination of other groups around the country. By the end of 2006 over 891 WWII vets nationwide had gone on an Honor Flight.

Eventually, Honor Flight became one of the most recognized National non-profit programs with headquarters based out of Springfield.

As of 2017, Honor Flight has served over 100,000 WWII vets. Each trip lasts one day. Like Morse’s first flight, there is never any cost to the vets themselves. “Guardians” also volunteer to serve as personal escorts to each vet. Volunteers who go must pay their own way. McGlothin says he heard the April flight cost over $72,000.

Although the focus remains on serving WWII vets. In recent years, Korean and Vietnam-era veterans have also been invited to participate. Any vet who served in any capacity during the specified time periods is eligible to go, whether they saw combat or not. “Some vets shy away from applying because they didn’t see any fighting. But we tell them they would have gone if ordered to, and that’s good enough,” explains Bauer.

McGlothin served with the Marines in the Pacific as an Aide/Driver for Admirals from 1961-1965. Anyone, male or female, who served between 1955-1976 may apply to go on an Honor Flight.

McGlothin says the things that impressed him was how much planning and organizing went into the event, as well as the sheer number of people who simply turned out to greet them when they came home.

“It was just amazing how the thing came together. There are so many little things they took care of...the vets didn’t want for anything the entire day. Our three busses had a police escort, so we got through D.C. with no problem. People also came up to us all day and thanked us. What really impressed me the most were the people who welcomed us at the Dayton Airport when we came home. It was around 11:30 at night and the place was just packed with people cheering us on. The JROTC was there, so was a band...it was just so incredible,” says McGlothin.

One part of the experience was especially moving for McGlothin, who gets emotional relating it.

“There was a mail call on the flight back home. You know, when you’re in the service you always look forward to mail call, ” explains McGlothin, “The vets received letters from friends and family members thanking us for our service. It was so, so special for all of us.”

The whole event is one McGlothin says he will never forget, and he urges others to go if they can.

“The day just went above and beyond anything I was expecting. It was just awesome! I’m so glad I went, and I really think anyone who served should go. It’s just an amazing, wonderful experience. I can’t say enough good things about it. The day was simply amazing!”

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