Page 92 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2018- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Peyton Oldham Janis Vaughn Lou Ortiz David True Dave King
Not pictured: Gary Vaughn Trip Coordinator: Mike Travis
Honored to Serve

Texas South Plains Honor Flight Presidents

by Katherine McLamore and Larry A. Williams Photo Credit to Tino Vela

1st President – Dave King 2012-2013

"In 2012, a friend approached me about meeting with a group that wanted to bring Honor Flight to
Lubbock. I had never heard of this organization but thought it sounded interesting. Jack Barnes from
Amarillo was responsible for starting the program up there. It was very successful, and he wanted to start
one in Lubbock. Long story short, I was made committee chairman of the first annual Honor Flight of the
South Plains. We spent many hours raising funds from the merchants and folks of this area.
"I met with KCBD-TV about partnering with us, and they jumped at the opportunity. The telethon
made people aware of what Honor Flight was, and contributions began to pour in. We could not have been
successful without Jack Barnes. His support and direction were invaluable.
"I am so pleased that the Honor Flight has become well-known, and that the citizens have taken
ownership of the organization. This is the most significant and worthwhile undertaking of my life, and I am
proud to have been a part of its success."

2nd President – David True 2013

“In April 2012, my father, S.M. True, Jr., asked if I knew anything about a group in Amarillo who were
taking WWII veterans to Washington to view the memorials. I told him I would research it. That afternoon,
Charlie Scarborough asked me if I’d heard of Honor Flight, and I was invited to a meeting to help organize
a Lubbock group. In attendance were Dave and Gail King, Charlie Scarborough, Penny and Joy Vann and
Jack Barnes, who headed up the Amarillo group. We discussed our lack of financing and that we would
have to raise $200,000 or $33,333 per month to be able to fly in October.
“Dad had done a good job of getting the word out and getting applications from his friends in Plainview,
but unfortunately, he died in an accident on May 12, 2012. Because this project was so important to him,
we asked that all (memorial) donations go to Honor Flight. Over $32,000 was given to Honor Flight (in
memory of) my dad.
“Dad didn’t go on that first flight, but the six Plainview guys (enlarged) two pictures of him in the
cockpit of his F6F Hellcat night fighter, and at each veteran memorial in D.C. they had their pictures made
holding the photos of Dad.
“I believe that God had a hand in helping us get started and being successful. Because the Texas South
Plains has embraced this organization, it has given us both credibility and purpose.”

92 Lubbock Senior Link