Page 77 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2017- Online Magazine

Day 3

8:15 AM – National Museum of the Marine
Corps - The Museum’s soaring design is
representative of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima
during WWII.
10:30 AM - Arlington National Cemetery - The
veterans watch in silent awe as the lone sentry
paces back and forth in front of the Tomb of
the Unknown. After a changing of the guard,
four of our veterans place a wreath and a
bugler plays Taps, a reverent and solemn
experience for all.
12:45 PM – The Women’s Memorial at Arlington - This
Memorial is dedicated to all women who have served
in the United States Armed Forces. Our own two-
time former Honor Flight President, Janis Vaughan,
is listed in the database archive, detailing her military
service.

1:15 PM – Naval Heritage Center - The visitor center
describes the heritage of the men and women of the
United States Navy.

2:15 PM – We drive along the Presidential Inaugural
Route down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White
House. Every President since Thomas Jefferson’s
second inauguration in 1801 has followed this route.
3:00 PM – We arrive at Baltimore/Washington Airport
for the 3½-hour trip back to Lubbock.
6:30 PM – Our plane lifts off from Baltimore.
President Gary Vaughn takes the mic and praises the
vets on how great they did, how proud we are to be
able to take them, and thanked them for their service.

9:00 PM – We arrive back in Lubbock to hundreds
of cheering friends and family members from the
South Plains. It is heartwarming to the veterans as
many, for the first time, march past adoring crowds.
The “trip of a lifetime” has concluded, and many
veterans state they felt an important mission had been
completed, one that helped them reflect on, heal from,
and appreciate all the other missions in their lives, to
better prepare them for the adventures still awaiting
these brave and precious souls, our heroes.

Lubbock Senior Link 77