LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A group of high school and middle school students provided a patriotic welcome for Honor Flight Southern Nevada veterans at the World War II Memorial in April.
A D.C. area Civil Air Patrol group answered a call to duty and filled in for the normal color guard amid a government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.
“Veterans made a great sacrifice. They risked their lives, some gave their lives for our freedom,” said Caiuse Elliott with the Fairfax Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol.
The student group was not originally set to be at the memorial for the veterans’ until Honor Flight Southern Nevada contacted them to fill in.
“Veterans make a huge sacrifice to help protect our country. And it’s really important to recognize that and to acknowledge that and to honor them,” said Civil Air Patrol member Rosalia Acosta.
“And we were really excited to just be able to come out here and help serve the veterans and honor them for their service,” said Civil Air Patrol member Delia JoEllen Acosta.
MORE: Henderson veteran still reading ‘thank you’ letters from Honor Flight trip
Remembering the fallen
The students pointed to the Wall of Stars, 4,048 gold stars at the memorial, each representing 100 Americans who died in World War II.
“All gave some, some gave all is what I always remember. So, to these people who gave so much for our country, served in these conflicts, even not served in these conflicts, and the people that are still serving, these color guard events show that we care about them, that they’re not forgotten for their service,” said Civil Air Patrol member Kaylee Bryson.
Las Vegas Vietnam veteran Joe Lemieux, an active Civil Air Patrol member, showed his gratitude to the students for turning out.
“I think this is the greatest thing that I’ve ever seen,” Lemieux said.
Honor Flight Southern Nevada also located a national anthem singer to step in that day because of the DHS shutdown. Bridget O’Brien, Miss Maryland 2024 and granddaughter of a Korean War Purple Heart recipient, said she was happy to be there.
“I think it’s really important for everyone, not just when it’s something like this in Honor Flight, but everyone in your everyday lives. If there’s a veteran in your life, thank them and honor them,” O’Brien said.
The non-profit Honor Flight Southern Nevada takes area veterans to the D.C. area twice a year to tour war memorials, monuments and other sites at no cost to them. It relies on donations to make the trips possible. There are many Honor Flight chapters across the United States.
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