By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

Each spring and fall, more than 70 veterans board a plane in Syracuse for a whirlwind day trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials of the conflicts in which they served. For many of these retired servicemembers, this trip could be a vet’s first — and sometimes last — opportunity to visit these monuments to their service. Thanks to Honor Flight Syracuse, this journey is free for the veterans who sign up.

Bill Meyer, the town of Cicero’s deputy town supervisor and veterans advocate, appeared at the May 9 meeting of the North Syracuse Village Board of Trustees, to present on the mission of Honor Flight Syracuse and its needs for both veterans and volunteers to apply. Honor Flight Syracuse’s most recent mission, held April 27, drew about 70 former servicemembers. The next mission is scheduled for Sept. 28.

“We have a volunteer job for everybody,” Meyer said.

Each Honor Flight costs $30,000, so hundreds of donors and volunteers are needed to make it happen. There are many ways to help the effort, Meyer said, whether it’s becoming a guardian for a flight, volunteering at the organization’s booth during special events or making signs and cheering for the veterans at their send-off and return.

As the number of World War II and Korean War veterans dwindles — according to Honor Flight Syracuse, nearly 1,000 of these veterans pass away each day — Honor Flight’s mission grows more urgent.

Meyer said many veterans shy away from applying for an Honor Flight, especially if they did not see combat or were not injured. He said he has heard veterans say, “Well, I didn’t really do much.” He encouraged the trustees and citizens present to challenge the veterans in their lives to sign up for Honor Flight, regardless of what their service experience was like.

“I don’t care what branch you were … eventually, you got to the front of the chow line. It’s your turn,” Meyer said.

Meyer introduced George Wasickanin, a Cicero resident who served in the Navy during the Korean War. Wasickanin shared his Honor Flight experience

“I was really hurt during the end of the Vietnam War when the veterans came back and weren’t treated very well. They were spit on and called names,” Wasickanin said.

The reception of veterans throughout the Honor Flight experience was totally different, Wasickanin said. In addition to visiting their respective conflicts’ memorials, Honor Flight attendees are treated to a gala featuring dancers dressed in 1940s and ‘50s attire and copious refreshments before they return home. They travel through D.C. with a police escort and are seen off and greeted at the airport by well-wishers with signs and a choir.

“I felt like, ‘Wow, maybe I did do something good,’” Wasickanin said. “We were treated like royalty when we came back. It made you feel good that people care.”

Wasickanin said he would recommend any veteran sign up for Honor Flight. He said a meeting with two World War II veterans — ages 103 and 100 — left him impressed.

“If I could have the energy that that 100-year-old man had, I’d give him my Navy hat,” Wasickanin said.

The next Honor Flight Syracuse mission takes place Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Honor Flight Syracuse serves 10 counties in Central New York, Northern New York and the Mohawk Valley. There is space for 80 veterans per flight, and the list is rolling for future flights.

Preference is given to World War II and Korean War veterans and those who are terminally ill. Veterans must be accompanied by a guardian and must be of reasonable health and mobility to travel. Honor Flight Syracuse’s health and safety team will help determine a veteran’s flight-readiness and figure out any necessary accommodations.

To apply, visit honorflightsyracuse.org/veteran-application. There is no cost to the veterans for the trip.