The USAF Band hosts Dallas Honor Flight

Cheif Master Sgt. Craig LeDoux, The U.S. Air Force Band manager, greets a member of a Dallas Honor Flight at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling April 20, 2013. The goal of the nation-wide Honor Flight program is to help every single veteran in America, willing and able of getting on a plane or a bus, to visit their respective national war memorial. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lindsey A. Porter)

The USAF Band hosts Dallas Honor Flight

A U.S. Air Force Honor Guard color guard presents the colors to a group of World War II Honor Flight members at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling April 20, 2013. The goal of the nation-wide Honor Flight program is to help every single veteran in America, willing and able of getting on a plane or a bus, to visit their respective national war memorial. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lindsey A. Porter)

Fall Honor Flight visits

Published Sept. 13, 2013
By Senior Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz

Washington D.C. -- Although sequestration has limited our ability to travel outside of Washington, D.C., to perform for our nation's veterans, it hasn't stopped them from coming to see us. On Saturday, Sept. 14, veterans from WWII and the wars in Korea and Vietnam will visit The United States Air Force Band for a special afternoon performance. They are part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Honor Flight, which consists of 40 veterans and more than 80 escorts, guardians, volunteers and medical personnel. The group will spend two days touring the nation's capital, with stops at each service memorial, Arlington National Cemetery. Their visit will culminate at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, home of The United States Air Force Band for a special performance by the Airmen of Note.

Earlier this year, The United States Air Force Band started a new initiative offering private concerts to visiting Honor Flights at our building on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. They transport war veterans to Washington, D.C. from all over the country. Top priority is given to senior veterans, mostly WWII survivors, along with other veterans who are terminally ill.

Two groups from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and one group from the upper peninsula of Michigan visited the Band in the Spring. Each of the performances was very enriching for both the attendees and the performers.

Senior Master Sgt. Phil Krzywicki, the concert emcee for one of these events, was very honored to be a part of one of these performances. "To see our nation's heroes--the members of these Honor Flights--enjoying the music and then, in some cases, struggling to stand when we played their Service song was such a powerful and moving thing to witness," he said.

Two more Honor Flights from the Dallas/Fort Worth area will visit the Band later this fall. On Oct. 5, flight visiting historic Hanger II will be treated to a special performance by the Concert Band and soloists from the Singing Sergeants. A third group of veterans are scheduled for a private concert by the Concert Band and soloists from the Singing Sergeants on Oct. 26.

An important part of The U.S. Air Force Band's mission is to honor those who have served. We look forward to welcoming these Honor Flights to do just that.