Last Frontier Honor Flight

My name is Stan Bissonette, I retired from the U.S. Navy in 1977.I first found out about the Honor Flight from my wife who had gone to the returning flight with a friend of hers.

My name is Stan Bissonette, I retired from the U.S. Navy in 1977.I first found out about the Honor Flight from my wife who had gone to the returning flight with a friend of hers. It was hard to impress my wife, but this was one that did. After the returning celebration was completed, she inquired as to who to contact about signing up for the honor flight. She returned home with several applications for attending. I filled out my application and submitted it, it wasn’t but a short while till I received a call asking if I could be ready to go on a flight in two weeks. I was very hiped about the flight so I agreed to be ready to go on that April flight. I had had a friend tell me that it would be a life changing experience, Boy did he under state that. From the very start at the Anchorage Airport it was a very well planned & executed event. We were sent off by singing old songs we all remembered. Our first stop was Portland airport where we were met by so many fantastic people. Along with the Motorcycle group. I don’t know about everyone, but I can tell you there weren’t too many dry eyes in the group, as would be the case many times throughout the Flight. With every stop it is beyond me to describe the feeling, all the love and emotion from all the people we came in contact with. The VFW was just beyond words for me. We had the most wonderful cooperation from all the hotel staff where we were lodged. I can tell you from my prospective, no one went hungry, if they did it was their own fault. We were taken to so many great sights in Washington D.C. Some that stands out were the Flight Museum , the Iwo Jima memorial. Our time was very well controlled and I do not believe we were late or missed any events. On our return to Anchorage, what a greeting we got, again not to many dry eyes in the group.We were met by the Governor and a whole slew of dignitaries both military & civilian.A group of ladies had a quilt for each and every member of the flight. I am just hitting the very high spots here, When my friend who had previously been a member of the honor flight told me it would be a life changing experience, he did not know just how much he had understated that. I have become friends with some I met on that trip. I still see each trip off & meet each one returning. It is one of the highlites of my life. Thank you to all who participated in the flight I was part of & who carry on the tradition.