Southwest Airlines Community

As we started to think about Memorial Day, we couldn’t help but focus on Southwest’s relationship with Honor Flight, whose mission is to transport America’s Veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. As the Official Commercial Airline of Honor Flight Network, Inc., Southwest provides transportation for 1,000 veterans annually. Many of our Employees have embraced Honor Flight and volunteer for the organization in various ways. Over the Memorial Day weekend, we will honor our Veterans and showcase how our Employees are supporting Honor Flight as they share their photos and stories. Lynnie Gustafson, Flight Attendant: Lynnie and one Honor Flight Customer/Hero. I am based in Oakland and our military is my passion. I found a turn in "flight attendant giveaway" out of Chicago, a turn to Dulles and then the flight back would be a full Honor Flight. I was so excited about being able to fly an Honor Flight, I contacted Elise May in Dallas, and asked her if they had any decorations we could use for our Honor Flight. Elise was so sweet, she got permission and money to go buy decorations for the airplane and sent them out to me in Oakland before the flight. (Thank you Elise May.) When we arrived in Dulles, the three of us decorated the airplane with red, white, and blue, God Bless America signs and the patriotic SWA hearts that we use for all military occasions. I had a moment where I could go up to the boarding area to observe our World War II heroes enjoying themselves. They were entertained … The Andrew Sisters, (three ladies that sang beautifully), and they had some swing music going, asking the soldiers to dance with them. That's where I met the oldest soldier on this flight, George, who was 103 years old. Each World War II Veteran had an escort, and we had a totally 100 percent full flight. After our first round of service, three gentlemen that were heading up the flight had two backpacks full of mail. They came up front to use the microphone and did mail call. They called out each soldier's name just like they did back in the war. Each envelope contained letters from family, relatives, church, friends, and old pictures. There was not a dry eye on the plane. As we are coming back into Chicago MDW, at 10,000 feet, they all started to sing “God bless America." I was able to have quite a few conversations with the World War II Vets on the plane, and they were amazing. So much history on that airplane, that will never be told. But at least, these heroes, finally got their "Welcome Home.” Our plane was met by the Chicago Fire Department, which did the water spray over the airplane. After we parked and opened the door, the firemen came up the stairs to help each of our Veterans off the plane. When a Veteran would come to the door to exit the airplane, the firemen would say "ladies and gentlemen I would like to introduce and say thank you to George"... (each Veteran introduced by name). It was so beautiful. There was a group of cadets in the jetway that had the wheelchairs, and they saluted each and every Veteran. Each one was called by name and thanked for their service. And that was just the beginning. We were parked at Gate 1 at Chicago Midway, and from Gate 1 all the way down the stairs and through baggage claim were high school bands, students, friends, relatives, three different bagpipe bands, grandchildren, church groups—I’ve never seen such an amazing parade honoring each and every World War II Veteran on that flight. The applause and thank yous for their service, it was just beautiful. I made my way through the parade, with tears running down my face and a great big huge smile in my heart. I was experiencing history. I was among true heroes. That flight will truly go down as my "best flight ever" at Southwest Airlines. I would fly an Honor Flight every single flight if I could. P.S. ... My dad, James J, McPhee, was on an Honor Flight out of West Texas, and to hear his views on what his journey was from Abilene, Texas, to the monuments in D.C., how proud and how thankful he was to be a part of an Honor Flight. Bernie McCrum, Flight Attendant: After working two Honor Flights my husband Vinny and I became involved in The Screaming Eagle Honor Flight hub in Clarksville, TN. Vinny as the Veteran's Coordinator, and me as a volunteer. We would gather the mail from their families for me to deliver on the flights and I would make small pillows for them to keep. In September of 2015 I had the fortune to escort a WWII Army Air Forces Veteran named Sam as his guardian. It's an experience I will never forget!   If you know a WWII, Korean or Vietnam War vet who has not had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight, please contact your local Honor Flight for details of how to make that happen or visit https://www.honorflight.org   ... View more

As we started to think about Memorial Day, we couldn’t help but focus on Southwest’s relationship with Honor Flight, whose mission is to transport America’s Veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. As the Official Commercial Airline of Honor Flight Network, Inc., Southwest provides transportation for 1,000 veterans annually. Many of our Employees have embraced Honor Flight and volunteer for the organization in various ways. Over the Memorial Day weekend, we will honor our Veterans and showcase how our Employees are supporting Honor Flight as they share their photos and stories. Flight Attendant Maggie Bowman: Recently, on a seemingly normal trip, something extraordinary happened that has forever changed my life. We had just finished a leg to Austin, when the Ops Agent came onboard to let us know our next leg to DCA would be a WWII Honor Flight with 40 veterans. Honor Flight Austin does eight to ten flights a year for veterans of WWII and the Vietnam and Korean Wars. During the flight, I made sure to thank each veteran for their service and sacrifices for my freedom. I tried to chat with each one, and learned that they were all so excited to be treated with such dignity and to such an exciting trip. Once we landed in DCA and all the passengers and veterans deplaned, I couldn’t stop thinking about the wonderful mission of this organization. Now, I am not only volunteering with the organization, I am also using my communication degree as a board member who works to help find veterans in the Austin area who want to take the trip of a lifetime. Today, one month after I was the “D” Flight Attendant on an Honor Flight, I have traveled with an Honor Flight on my own time using my  non-rev benefits to assist, and I have more trips I’m volunteering for in the future. Giving time to this organization has already been so rewarding. It is truly humbling to see the joy and pride of these men and women as they view the monuments (especially those monuments dedicated to their specific wars) and memorials in Washington, D.C., and as they observe the solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery. It also makes me proud to work for a company with a long history of supporting worthwhile causes. Because of Southwest’s participation with Honor Flight, I am now involved in my community and a cause that is undeniably worthwhile and meaningful. Thank a vet for making our country the wonderful place it is today. Inflight Supervisor Brenda Burgett: L-R Inflight Crew Base Coordinator Laura Nichols and Inflight Supervisors Maureen Manion Luterzo and Brenda Burget, decorate the jetbridge for each Honor Flight out of Las Vegas. I was fortunate to get involved with Honor Flight about five years ago when it was introduced in LAS. As a Station Administrator at the time, I was asked if I could help out in any way. Being somewhat on the creative side, my first thought went to decorating. That quickly grew from decorating the jet way to sitting in on planning meetings to organize the wheelchairs, food, gates, etc. Two years ago I transferred to Inflight and have been fortunate to continue supporting our Veterans and Honor Flight. I now am able to assist in RNO as well as LAS and am absolutely thrilled to be able to do this. I come from a Military Family and helping with Honor Flight is my way of honoring my father, grandfather, brothers and uncles who have all served. Thank you so much for running this piece for Memorial Day and for bringing recognition to our Veterans. I believe we owe these heroes a debt of gratitude and love being involved with Honor Flight for this reason! Laura Nichols, Crew Base Coordinator, Inflight I have been decorating the jet way in Las Vegas for the honor flights for three years and I just love it! My son is in the Army and my father was Navy. I enjoy meeting all of the heroes and I am honored and proud to be a part of it. You can’t help but get emotional when you see the smiles on their faces. A big thank you to all who put their time into this wonderful event. I am looking forward to the next flight.   If you know a WWII, Korean or Vietnam War vet who has not had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight, please contact your local Honor Flight for details of how to make that happen or visit https://www.honorflight.org. ... View more

As we started to think about Memorial Day, we couldn’t help but focus on Southwest’s relationship with Honor Flight, whose mission is to transport America’s Veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. As the Official Commercial Airline of Honor Flight Network, Inc., Southwest provides transportation for 1,000 veterans annually. Many of our Employees have embraced Honor Flight and volunteer for the organization in various ways. Over the Memorial Day weekend, we will honor our Veterans and showcase how our Employees are supporting Honor Flight as they share their photos and stories. Flight Attendant Angela Koblitz: (War Veterans with Flight Attendants L-R Brannan Hetzler, Angela Koblitz, and Sabrina Edge) Our crew was blessed to spend a fair amount of time visiting with our veteran guests before boarding started, because the flight itself was barely one hour long. I spoke with an energetic gentleman who told me he had served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and was in China around the start of the Cultural Revolution, as well at having been in Cuba around the time of the Cuban missile crisis! The group leaders told us that almost 500 World War II veterans die every day. I believe that I speak for us all when I say that the opportunity to serve and to hear the stories of the men and women who served our nation so courageously is a beautiful opportunity that is dwindling. I know that I cherish the memory of this flight. SOS Representation Dennis DeFrank: Dennis DeFrank and his wife Lisa (in blue SWA shirts) and five Veterans on a May 14 Honor Flight trip to the Vietnam Wall in background. I became involved with Honor Flight when the Source of Support (SOS) Charter Team selected Honor Flight Columbus in 2012 as our prime group for volunteering and raising funds to send veterans to see their memorials. We meet the flight in BWI early on a Saturday morning and spend the day with the Veterans as they tour their Memorials in Washington D.C. I have been on 18 trips with four more scheduled this year. I volunteer my time in honor of my father and his two brothers who enlisted just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Every trip is a walking history lesson. I have met Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam war. One of my most memorable moments was when I was able to meet a 100-year-old World War II Veteran. He was in the Seabees and helped in the construction of the airstrip at Tinian’s North field, the airstrip for the ENOLA GAY,  the B-29 that dropped the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Sometimes the Veterans will not say much and you just have to respect that. One Veteran that had not said much was at Arlington National Cemetery and tears began running down his face. After calming him down, I learned that he was overcome with being back at the Tomb of the Unknowns, where he had once stood guard himself many years before. Michelle Lefler-Baker, Flight Attendant: Michelle and a WWII Vet during a March Honor Flight trip. I've had the honor, joy and privilege of volunteering with this organization for the past four years. I am at almost each departure, depending on my work schedule. I get there around 4:30 a.m. to decorate the gate area and the inside of the airplane with red, white, and blue décor prior to our Veterans boarding. I have goody bags for the crew, which include a patriotic necklace, candy and a small gift to show my appreciation to them for making this Honor Flight remarkable, memorable and a well-deserved adventure. I've had the honor of being a guardian on two of our Honor Flights, which consist of a three-day trip. I got involved with the HF as my father is the Director for the Kansas City Honor Flights. I was at the airport in Kansas City when they were arriving home from an Honor Flight and I said to myself, "I want to be a part of this organization." This is a generation which will soon be gone and they deserve the utmost respect and Honor we can bestow upon them. I've shed many tears, along with such warm fuzzy feelings meeting, spending time with, and talking to these Heroes. They're so grateful for the opportunity to take this trip of an Honor Flight to see their WWII Veterans Memorial created in their Honor. Our Arizona Honor Flights have 12 trips a year. I salute these men and women and proudly wear an American Flag on my uniform. If you know a WWII, Korean, or Vietnam War vet who has not had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight, please contact your local Honor Flight for details of how to make that happen or visit https://www.honorflight.org. ... View more