Army veteran Thomas “Sonny” Mills, 78, of Arnold recently took an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
After more than three years on the Honor Flight program’s waitlist, Mills was selected to participate in the 102nd Greater St. Louis Honor Flight (GSLHF) on June 6 – the 79th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.
The GSLHF program flies veterans at no cost to the nation’s capital, where they get to tour several war memorials, as well as be honored for their service.
The program honors World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, as well as terminally ill veterans.
The June 6 flight included 62 local Vietnam veterans and three World War II veterans.
Mills served in the US Army in Xuan Loc, Vietnam, from 1966-67 and worked as a wheeled-vehicle mechanic.
“I changed a lot of flat tires and radiators after mortar hits,” said Mills.
Mills’ daughter, Jerri Birsinger, 52, of Arnold, applied for her father to take the trip, and she was his guest for the daylong event. While the program is free for the veterans, their guests must pay for their own flights, Mills said.
Both Birsinger and Mills were excited about their first trip to D.C.
“I’ve wanted to go for at least the last 40 years,” Birsinger said.
The trip for the pair began with a 3 a.m. arrival at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, free breakfast at the gate and an honor guard line as they boarded their 5 a.m. flight to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The flight arrived at 8 a.m. EST, where they were welcomed with a water cannon salute over the plane by the airport firetrucks and another honor guard salute as they were deplaning.
Mills said the water cannon salute was one of his favorite parts of the trip.
From there, the group visited the National Mall and Memorial Parks, giving them the chance to see the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Marine Corps Memorial and World War II Memorial. At the WWII Memorial, the veterans were greeted by cheering students from a local middle school, who presented each of the veterans with a handmade blanket.
The three WWII veterans on the trip, including 101-year-old Ralph Goldsticker of Creve Coeur, laid wreaths at the base of the memorial. He was a B-17 bombardier flying his first combat mission on D-Day.
“(Goldsticker) was actually in the first landing at Normandy 79 years ago to the day,” Birsinger said. “At 101 years old, he still carries a pin from his first round fired that day. What an incredible moment to witness.”
After the National Mall, the group made a trip to Arlington National Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the changing of the guard.
The veterans ended their day in Washington, D.C., at the city’s Anheuser-Busch headquarters on Pennsylvania Ave., where they were served dinner.
“Every part of the trip was good,” said Mills. “What a really great day. I appreciate what everyone did to make it happen and I’m glad to have been a part of it.”
Upon their return to Lambert that evening, veterans were surprised by cheering family members and volunteers with signs and flags. They were presented with a special mail call, where each veteran’s name was called out and they received a large envelope full of letters and cards from loved ones thanking them for their service and congratulating them on their trip.
Birsinger said she loved spending the day with her father.
“The best part was spending the time with my dad and celebrating him over something that has been somewhat of a traumatic topic in his life. It was nice to be able to celebrate him,” she said.
Both Mills and Birsinger said they recommend any veterans interested in going on an Honor Flight to apply.
“I’ve already contacted two or three of my friends here,” Mills said.
Birsinger said the application process was easy, and veterans with mobility issues should not be worried that they won’t be able to participate.
“Any veteran, even if they’re not sure that they’re physically able to go, should not be afraid to go because everything will be handled for them,” she said. “They will be pushed in a wheelchair and taken care of from morning to night, so they shouldn’t be hesitant at all in trying to go.”
To apply or for more information, visit the website at gslhonorflight.org. Flight priority is given to the most senior veterans and those with terminal or debilitating health conditions.