Page 93 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2018- Online Magazine

3rd President – Lou Ortiz 2014

“In 1978, after high school, I enlisted in the Air
Force, was later commissioned, and was privileged
to serve for 30 years. My last duty station was at
the Pentagon where I first learned about Honor
Flight. As career military, I always understood the
significance of military memorials. My father-in-
law was a World War II veteran. My wife and I
had taken him to visit the World War II Memorial,
where we personally witnessed how moving and
meaningful it was to him. He would strike up
conversations with fellow veterans, and it was
like they had been friends for life. As active duty
military, it was very special to see the veterans
from WWII who are a living testament to American
history, finally be able to see the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
“I retired from the Air Force in 2011 and returned to Lubbock. While working at Texas Tech in 2012,
Linda True, a colleague and wife of David True, mentioned that their group was looking for volunteers.
(Since I was already) familiar with Honor Flight, I was excited to join a wonderful group of community
volunteers in planning, organizing, fundraising, and participating in several trips. Beyond (just visiting)
the memorials, veterans are able to share experiences with fellow veterans of their own generation as well
as other generations. Many family members tell us that (the Honor Flight helps) their veteran spouse,
father, or mother open up and share memories they have never mentioned before.”

4th President – Janis Vaughn (2015 & 2016)

“I graduated from Texas Tech in 1975 and
was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the
U.S. Army Women’s Army Corps through
the direct commissioning program in 1976. I
attended the Women Officer Orientation and
was branched Military Intelligence. I served as
a Platoon Leader and Company XO, attended
MI Officer Advanced Course assigned to
Combat Developments and then as Battalion
Executive Officer. I left active duty in 1983 to
attend law school, stayed in the reserves, was
licensed to practice law, then transferred to the
U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. I
served in a JAG Detachment as a Contract Law
Officer and Detachment Commander until
retirement in 2000.
“I got a call from Al Faison in the early Fall
of 2013 asking if I would consider serving
as a guardian for the upcoming Honor
Flight. They had a female veteran scheduled
to go, and since I had been in the military,
Al thought I might be interested in being
her guardian. I had to decline (because of a
previous commitment), but I did get involved
in Honor Flight in January 2014. I helped
with many of the fundraisers and signed up
as a guardian for the 2014 flight. I served as
President in 2015 and 2016.
“Honor Flight provides an opportunity for
veterans to receive thanks and honor. Their
families tell us that veterans start talking about
their service after the trip, and families (often)
hear stories for the first time.”

Lubbock Senior Link 93