Local veterans take Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Dan Tidwell could hardly control his emotions when talking about his trip to Washington, D.C.

Tidwell, a Marine, was among a group of 35 local veterans, joined by volunteers, on an Honor Flight to the nation’s capital. The flight was a day-long bus trip to visit military memorials and monuments. Tidwell got to be part of a solemn ritual at Arlington National Cemetery.

“I was fortunate to get selected – I have no understanding why – to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was totally shocked, but it was unbelievable,” Tidwell said. Honor Flight is a national organization with the mission to celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at the nation’s memorials.

Two buses left American Legion Post 28 in Long Neck at 7 a.m. and returned 12 hours later to a hero’s welcome. A Delaware State Police helicopter even escorted them up Route 24 before landing at the post. John Taylor, who served in the Air Force, said he was moved by the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon at the Lincoln Memorial.

“The world may be in trouble, but we have good young men here,” Taylor said.

Dr. Paul Cowan, an emergency room physician at Beebe Healthcare, was a volunteer on the trip. When he returned to Post 28, Cowan ate dinner with Carl Roosa, a veteran of the Navy and Air Force.

“Jordan Dattoli, one of the county medics, went last year and enlisted a bunch of us to go. It was absolutely amazing. It was really powerful to watch those guys talk to the young servicemen,” Cowan said.

“It was the best trip I’ve ever taken to Washington, D.C.,” Roosa said.

The Honor Flight was organized by Jenny Brawley and a ground crew team at Post 28. April 28 was also Brawley’s birthday. The veterans’ trip was the icing on the cake. “It means a lot because they get a lot of memories from it, and closure and camaraderie,” she said. “The [Honor Flight] gives them a great way to experience that.”