Ordinary Teens Doing Extraordinary Things -
Alex Turnbull 

Posted February 8, 2012 on Face Forward

Who: Alex Turnbull
School: Bishop Watterson
Grade: Sophomore
Parish: St. Mary’s Delaware

Service: Alex works with Honor Flight as a ground crew member in assisting vets from their vehicles to a wheelchair or walking them to their groups at the airport. Alex does behind the scenes work such as helping to move dozens of wheelchairs to where they can be utilized by the vets, assisting with any bags, and providing coffee or snacks. Alex makes the vets feel welcome and comfortable as they wait to fly to Washington DC to see their memorial.

As a guardian, Alex flew to Washington DC with Honor Flight. Alex was assigned a veteran and was responsible for all his needs. When the vet got tired Alex pushed him in a wheelchair. A Guardian is responsible for his vet for the entire day, beginning at 4AM and ending when the flight returns to Port Columbus at 10PM.

How did you get involved? Alex has always been interested in WWII. His Great Great Uncle was a veteran. When he learned about Honor Flight and the work they do he wanted to get involved. He wanted to meet the people of this great generation.
Why is this extraordinary? It is really great to see the vets bond with someone so young. WWII vets are dying at a rate of 1000 per day. Alex wanted to meet them, talk to them and hear their stories before it is too late. Alex knows that their stories must be told and retold so that what these great men and women did for us will never be forgotten. So many people discount the elderly, when in fact they should be treated with the utmost respect. Alex truly respects these men and women. He is comfortable talking with them (some are in their 90′s). He can laugh and joke with them and make them feel at ease.

How can others get involved? Honor Flight is always in need of volunteers. You can find them online.

What is most rewarding? The most rewarding part of working with Honor Flight is the appreciation these great men and women have when they return home after seeing their memorial in DC. There are tears and a huge crowd gathers to welcome home their soldiers. One man told me that when he returned from the war, he took a plane, a train, and a bus that dropped him off at the end of his road and he walked home alone. He had never felt so appreciated as the day he flew with Honor Flight. It is great to be a part of making them feel so honored after so many years. Some let go of stories they had hidden away long ago. They remember buddies that did not come home. Seeing these people react this was is a truly humbling experience.