Shelbyville Parts Manager Accompanied Honor Flight
Early on Tuesday morning, September 25th, 83 American Hero Veterans boarded a Sun Country 737 bound for Washington DC on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight 52 to visit the memorials dedicated to their service.
On the flight was our parts manager at Birkey's in Shelbyville, Kevin Christian, accompanying his uncle Dennis Christian who served in the Army during Vietnam.
Each participant on the flight was issued a colored t-shirt representing the war they fought in. Red for Vietnam, yellow for the Korean war, and blue for World War II. Green shirts were issued to the Guardians.
The flight departed from Springfield at 5:45 am and arrived in Washington, D.C. at 8:30 am. The veterans and their guardians boarded 3 charter buses and began their tour of area memorials. The memorials they visited were the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, US Marine Corps War Memorial, US Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknowns and the Changing of the Guard.
After a full day, they departed Washington DC and arrived back in Springfield at 9:30 pm. Upon arrival, they were greeted by numerous family and friends lining the terminal, welcoming them home and showing them the respect that they have earned during their military careers.
The highlights of the day for Dennis were visiting the Air and Space Museum and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Wall). As a side note, it was Kevin's first time flying on a plane.
Birkey's would like to thank each and every veteran for their service to our great nation!