NOVA student Ayah Elborhany (Business major) greets World War II veteran from Honor Flight from Raleigh, North Carolina at Reagan National Airport on October 26 along with NOVA student Sancho Jacinto (Paralegal Studies.) Photo by Arch Scurlock.

By Arch Scurlock
Staff Reporter

Northern Virginia Community College, through its Alexandria campus community relations coordinator, is again sponsoring several greeting events of Honor Flights from all over the United States during the year bringing WW II veterans to Washington, D.C., and is looking for volunteer greeters.

The flights will be greeted at Reagan Washington National Airport followed by a visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington.

This is a chance to say “Thank you” to these heroes of another generation who sacrificed so much for their country. The veterans are sadly passing away at a great rate now, and this visit is a last chance for many of them to visit their memorial – some of them for the first time.

The veterans will first meet with their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill upon their arrival and then proceed to the WW II Memorial.

Be among the greeters at the airport of an Honor Flight on either Wednesday, Oct. 26 or Wednesday, Nov. 2 along with greeters from other organizations like the USO, Girl Scouts and various elementary school groups.
It’s a real treat to see the expressions on these elderly veterans as they enter the terminal on foot, walker-assisted or in wheelchairs as they first see, hear and experience the raucous welcome.

Volunteers will also have the chance later to speak with the veterans at the WW II Memorial about their wartime experiences.

The Oct. 26 is especially enlivened with the appearance of the NOVA Alexandria Band playing patriotic tunes and marches.

If you would like to participate, e-mail kpbalbuena@nvcc.edu with the following:
-Preferred date(s) of attendance
-Name as it appears on your driver’s license/ID
-Date of birth

A van for greeters will leave the Alexandria campus at 8:45 a.m. sharp on both days and will return around 12 noon. If you can just make part of the day, arrangements may be made for that possibility.

What is known as “The Greatest Generation” won’t be with us much longer. They should all get to see the monument to their service and sacrifice.

NOVA members who greeted Honor Flights at Reagan National Airport on October 26, including from left Sancho Jacinto (Paralegal Studies major), Sandra Vargas Ortega (Biology), Arch Scurlock (General Studies), Frederick Badu (Biology), Ayah Elborhany (Business), Ken Balbuena (NOVA Community Relations Coordinator) and Amsley Pietranton (Business). Photo by Arch Scurlock.

By: Arch Scurlock

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