Trip of a lifetime: Lubbock VA Clinic staff members participate in Texas South Plains Honor Flight
Six staff members from the Lubbock VA Clinic volunteered to participate in the Texas South Plains Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. June 1-3, 2024.
The Texas South Plains Honor Flight completed its 11th Mission this year. Their mission is to provide the trip of a lifetime to South Plains Veterans by taking them on an all-expense paid trip to our Nation’s Capital and see the monuments and memorials built in honor of their service to our country.
"After a year of planning, it’s so awesome to see the smiles and hear the stories from our Veterans," said Angela Allen, Education Service at the Lubbock VA Clinic. "Every year our team comes home from the flight saying, 'man, this was the best trip ever', and this year was no different."
Over the course of three days, the Veterans were able to view many sites including the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Solider, among others.
"For some of our Vietnam Veterans, it is a chance to heal decades old wounds and create relationships with other Veterans who shared similar experiences," said Allen. "It fills my heart to be able to volunteer with the Texas South Plains Honor Flight that honors Veterans in this unique way."
This year, the Texas South Plains Honor Flight took 11 Korean War Veterans and 74 Vietnam Veterans to Washington, D.C. They were accompanied by 40 guardians, who assist with wheelchairs and ensure Veteran safety, as well as 18 staff members who oversee coordination, safety and logistics of the trip. The National Honor Flight Network is 100% volunteer and donation driven to provide Veterans with this amazing opportunity.
"I come from a large family of Veteran’s including my twin sons," said Rieta Starnes, LVN at the Lubbock VA Clinic. "I did not serve in the military so this is how I serve - being a nurse with the VA and helping give our Veteran’s the trip of a lifetime."
The Lubbock VA Clinic staff who participated in this year's Honor Flight were Angela Allen, VA REdI Program Director, Alice Vaughn, VA Urgent Care Registered Nurse, Rieta Starnes, VA Podiatry LVN , Michele Duran, VA Clinical Coach, Adrianne Gilbert-Tillman, VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Registered Nurse, and Frank Alvarado, VA Police Sergeant and Marine Veteran.