The Owen Electric and Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ sponsored Honor Flight returned to a rousing welcome home ceremony at Blue Grass Airport on Sept. 16 after a full day of touring Washington, D.C. The flight transported 66 Kentucky veterans to see their memorials on the National Mall.
This is the 12th year the cooperatives have sponsored an Honor Flight. Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives began working with Honor Flight in 2010 to honor Kentucky’s veterans.
This flight carried one World War II, eight Korean War veterans and two women veterans, who were inducted into the Military Women’s Memorial during the trip. The other veterans served our country during the Vietnam War. Two Purple Heart recipients were amongst the veterans on this trip.
Owen Electric was proud to sponsor Kenneth Dabbelt, Union, and Howard Chipman, Dry Ridge, on this year’s flight.
“It’s a privilege to be able to fly these veterans to their memorials, and it’s an opportunity to repay them in some small way for their service to our nation and our community,” said President and CEO Michael Cobb.
As in years past, veterans flew from Lexington to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., where they boarded three buses for a full day of honors and sightseeing.
The day included viewing the changing-of-the-guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Kentucky veterans also participated in a wreath-laying service at the tomb.
For more information on Honor Flight Kentucky, go to www.owenelectric.com/honor-flight.