HONOR FLIGHT SAN DIEGO

On Saturday October 2, 2016, San Diego welcomed home 83 World War II veterans as they returned home from a weekend in Washington DC as honored guests of Honor Flight San Diego.  This was also the initial distribution of wheelchairs by the California Knights of Columbus and the American Wheelchair Mission.

This past Columbian year, through the leadership of Immediate Past State Deputy Ed Huestis, the California Knights of Columbus raised over $560,000 with the goal of distributing wheelchairs to those veterans who have served us proudly over the years.

Honor Flight San Diego was the first opportunity to recognize and support these men and women.  Over 1,000 people provided a “Welcome Home” reception with many Knights and their families present.  There were 20 Color Corps members led by Vice Supreme Master Larry Campitiello, Master Gene Hays and District Marshal Rene Trevino also present to provide a warm reception for these honored veterans.

State Deputy Sonny Santa Ines, Immediate Past State Deputy Ed Huestis and State Warden Steve Bolton were on hand to assist the veterans into their Knights of Columbus Wheelchairs.  In all, 18 WWII veterans went home with a Knights of Columbus wheelchair.  Additionally, 85 special ‘transport’ wheelchairs were donated to USO San Diego and Honor Flight San Diego for their use.  These transport chairs were used by the veterans during the visit to Washington DC this past weekend.

There are plans being developed for wheelchair distributions to Veterans throughout the State in the next couple of months.  Please make plans to attend these ceremonies as they occur in your location.