Local Families Enjoy Unique Honor Flight
Approximately 580 veterans have flown from Evansville to Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight program over the past three years, but Don Werner, son of veteran Lee “Bud” Werner, believes his family is setting a first for the program.
“I don’t know how many times this has happened that two brothers take their father and father-in-law on an honor flight, but it’s really special,” Don said.
The Honor Flight of Southern Indiana took its seventh trip on Oct. 21. Eighty-five veterans made the day trip. Each traveling veteran is joined by a companion for the flight and tour around Washington. Don accompanied his father-in-law, Ted Arview, while Don’s oldest brother, Jim, accompanied his father, Bud. All families are parishioners at St. Joseph Parish in Vanderburgh County.
The brothers ushered the Korean war veterans throughout the nation’s capital while reminiscing with others about their memories of serving in the armed forces.
Arview served in the Navy for four years, starting at the age of 19. Bud Werner was drafted at age 22, serving in the Army. He still has his original orders at home.
At 84, Arview was among the youngest of the group of Honor Flight Veterans.
“My dad got hurt in the coal mines; he lost both legs and his left arm,” Arview recalled. “We had a big family, and I left school and went to work. I got a job in the coal mine when I was 17.” His need to support his seven siblings led to his enrolling in the Navy.
Bud Werner worked for a railroad company for four years before being drafted. “I guess because I had all the experience with the railroad I got the breaks. I was put on crew on the steam engines or diesels. I had it made.”
The two veterans recall stories of their days in the service with clear detail - stories of dangerous situations mixed with humor and pride.
Werner was married during his years of service, but Arview had yet to meet his future wife. When he returned from service, he spotted a picture in his soon-to-be sister-in-law’s yearbook. “I kept coming back to her picture, and I asked my now sister-in-law if she knew her. She said, ‘Yeah, she’s not your type. She goes to church all the time.’ I said, ‘That’s exactly what I need. I want to meet her.’ So I did meet her, and we’ve been married 60 years.”
Werner visited Washington, D.C., seven years ago during an Army reunion. “What impressed me more than anything was the Korean memorial, where the soldiers are standing up. You swear up and down they’re going to move.” He recalled the power of viewing the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Honor Flight was Arview’s first time visiting the nation’s capital. Before the flight, he anticipated how it would be to view the White House, memorials and, specifically, the Lincoln Memorial. “I’m a great admirer of several of the presidents, but Abraham Lincoln is my favorite. Always has been. He started out very poor family, not a lot of kids in the family, but the same type of background I guess. He had to work, even when you were young you had to work, and it was hard to get an education, but (we) did.”
The mission of Honor Flight of Southern Indiana is to honor America's Senior Veterans for all of their sacrifices by transporting them to Washington, DC to visit their memorials, free of charge.
Arview seems to sum it up quite perfectly.
“It’s not just a trip, it’s a very special trip; very, very special. I’ve done my part. One of many.”
