news release

On Saturday November 4^th, Southeast Florida Honor Flight volunteers will be escorting a full load of veterans on the free trip of a lifetime as the third Honor Flight of 2023 takes off for a daylong trip to Washington, D.C. The November 4^th flight marks the 49^th flight for Southeast Florida Honor Flight, which has transported thousands of the area’s veterans on what most call one of the most special and memorable days of their lives. Even if you’re not on the flight as a veteran or volunteer guardian, you can help welcome the veterans home after a very moving day in Washington, DC.  

At 8:20 p.m., the veterans, their volunteer guardians, and volunteer staff will be returning from a full day of being honored and celebrated in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Southeast Florida Honor Flight. Every veteran on the flight has stories to share and memories – some they haven’t thought of in decades, and some they have never shared with anyone. Unlike WWII and the Korean War, when veterans returned home from serving our country in the Vietnam War, instead of being welcomed and applauded, many were spat upon, cursed, and treated with hate. It may be decades later, but it won’t cost you a thing to help heal their spirits and give them the welcome home they truly deserve. 

One of the veterans who will be flying with the group on November 4^th is Malcolm Rhinehart. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1947 when he was only 16 years old. Rhinehart lied about his age, saying he was 18 and trained in San Diego, California. He worked as a Boatswain Mate and part of the deck crew on the USS Winston, USS Monrovia, USS Princeton, and USS Oak Hill and was stationed in Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea. Malcolm spent almost 24 years in the Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.  

Rhinehart says his greatest memory was witnessing the signing of the Japanese surrender while aboard the USS Missouri. “Just before the surrender of Japan,” he says, “two others and I were found out because we’d lied about our age when we enlisted. We were sent home, but before leaving, we were allowed to stay on board to witness the signing of the surrender. I went home and re-enlisted as soon as I turned 18, but those months I spent on the USS Missouri did not count towards my total years of service.”  

During an Honor Flight mission, veterans on the trip are flown at no cost to Washington, DC, where they are served throughout the day by volunteer guardians who have been trained to ensure the safety and enjoyment of each hero veteran flying and have paid for their own flight. As in the past, a crowd of individuals will gather at Palm Beach International Airport to welcome the veterans home from their epic journey and to honor them for their brave and selfless service to our country. Operation Homecoming, which features music, flags, loads of laughter, and a chance to share the memory of a lifetime with American heroes, is free and open to the public. 

Even if you don’t know anyone on the flight, you will find friends and neighbors in the crowd, and you’ll have a chance to cheer the veterans through the final steps of the day most say they remember as second only to their weddings and births of their children. Well-wishers are encouraged to bring signs, flags, and smiles to share with the veterans and guardians as they return, and you are guaranteed to walk away from the event with a lump in your throat, a smile on your face, and gratitude and pride in your heart for these humble heroes you’ve helped welcome home. Remember, some of these veterans never had the welcome home they so deserve. We ask you to help us welcome them home after their Honor Flight mission. 

If you, your neighbors, your church or social group, or family and friends are interested in being part of something special, please plan to join us Saturday, November 4^th at 8:20 p.m. at Palm Beach International Airport. Volunteers from the ground crew will direct you on where to go, but be ready for a heartwarming homecoming for some very special veterans and volunteers. If you’re coming out to help welcome the veterans home at Palm Beach International Airport on Saturday, November 4th, please look out for Malcolm Rhinehart and let him and all the other veterans know how much you appreciate their dedicated service to our country. To learn more about Southeast Florida Honor Flight and how you can become involved as a volunteer or to donate to the next flight, please visit www.honorflightsefl.org today.