Thank you for your service
Decker College staff member serves as guardian on honor flight
Suzanne Williams traveled to the nation’s capital Sept. 15 as part of a trip that brings U.S. military veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit war memorials.
The journey is known as an Honor Flight, and it’s done as a way of honoring veterans (particularly those from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars) for their service. Each veteran on every Honor Flight is accompanied by a guardian — a companion who looks out for the veteran’s physical and emotional well-being. There are also medical, mental health and other support staff on every trip.
Williams, an administrative assistant at Binghamton University’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, attended the trip as a guardian for her friend, fellow American Legion Post member and third-generation farmer Richard “Dick” Coleman, but she, too, is a veteran.
Coleman served during the Vietnam War, from 1967-70, in a Navy A-7 squadron at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Florida, as well as aboard the USS America and USS Coral Sea. Williams was also in the Navy. She was a yeoman in from 1980-84, serving in a tactical helicopter unit stationed at the Naval Air Station Norfolk in Virginia.
The trip
Twin Tiers Honor Flight coordinated the trip, which began with a chartered flight from the Greater Binghamton Airport. Once in Washington, D.C., the group was greeted with a water cannon salute before boarding buses and traveling to the Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam War and World War II memorials.
While he didn’t have a favorite site, Coleman was especially intrigued in Arlington National Cemetery by the grave of Audie Murphy, a soldier and actor who is also one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. The headstone is covered in coins, so Coleman asked their guide about the meaning. He learned that the pennies show respect, the nickels are from those who knew Murphy, the dimes were from those who fought with him and the quarters were placed by those who were with him when he died.
Williams found the lifelike sculptures of soldiers in rain ponchos at the Korean War Memorial beautiful and touching, but Arlington National Cemetery affected her the most. There, the group witnessed a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and four of the veterans in her group participated in a wreath-laying ceremony.
“The highlight of the day for me and Dick was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” Williams said. “It was extremely emotional.”
A few of the lesser-known memorials at Arlington, particularly those for the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia and the Iran Hostage Rescue Memorial, both surprised and moved Williams and Coleman.
The group also visited the Marine Corps Memorial before having dinner at the Air Force Memorial, overlooking the Pentagon.
On the return flight, there was a mail call where every veteran received a packet containing letters from family, friends and strangers from across the country, thanking them for their service.
Welcome home
Back at the Binghamton airport that evening, the veterans were surprised with a celebratory welcome home. Dozens of family, friends and members of the community greeted them, including Sen. Fred Akshar, who spoke of his gratitude for the veterans and their service to the country.
As each veteran walked through the hangar door, his or her name was announced and representatives from several local law enforcement agencies saluted them as they walked by.
“It was just wonderful to see the veteran’s faces as they were saluted,” Williams said. “Dick was very surprised and honored, but wishes it had been this way when he came home from Vietnam.”
Coleman, like many of the veterans on the trip, had never received a public welcome upon his return from service.
Williams intends to make the trip again, this time as a veteran. She was originally slated to go on the next Twin Tiers Honor Flight, scheduled in November, but is unable to make it.
“It was an honor to be the guardian for my friend, who probably wouldn’t have gone on his own to see these memorials,” she said.