On May 6, 47 veterans of WWII and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, were flown to our nation’s capital with Honor Flight Connecticut. Maurice Brassard, a 94-year-old WWII era veteran and 40-plus-year resident of Granby who now resides in Southwick, was among the honorees. A member of the American Legion Post 182 in Granby, Brassard was also the Honorary Parade Marshal for the town’s 2021 Memorial Day parade.
The day started early with a procession to Bradley Airport, led by the Patriot Guard Motorcycles, Connecticut State Police and various local fire departments. After a brief send-off ceremony in front of hundreds of friends, family and onlookers, the veterans flew to Washington DC. In Washington they toured the memorials dedicated to their specific wars on the National Mall and experienced the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery before having dinner and then flying home. The four WWII Veterans, 12 Korean War Veterans and 31 Vietnam Veterans had a packed day of sights, sounds, handshakes, and celebrity treatment.
Honor Flight Connecticut seeks to provide the “Welcome Home” that these veterans never received when they returned from their service. Brassard’s son Jim, a former Army medical doctor, served as his guide that day.
When asked what was the most memorable part of the Honor Flight, Brassard said receiving a surprise batch of “mail call” letters that family and friends wrote to him (and the other vets) behind the scenes. Those letters were distributed at the end of the day like they were distributed in the service.
Honor Flight Connecticut is a hub of the National Honor Flight Network. They are already planning a September flight and seeking veterans of WWII and Korean and Vietnam Wars for their “Day of Honor.”