Veteran Gerald “Jerry” Winn, 95, of Port Huron, took on a special mission on April 20, 2019, flying aboard the legendary Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The Honor Flight Network takes World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, or any terminally ill veteran to Washington, D.C. to visit military and national memorials. Jerry’s son, Larry, completed an application through Talon’s Out, the Michigan division of the national network. There is a wait list, however, special attention is given to WWII vets, due to age. Each veteran is assigned a guardian, to serve as a “buddy” through the whirlwind day of events. Larry was Jerry’s guardian. Together, they saw the changing of the guard, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Pentagon Memorial, and many more. “It was an unreal, unbelievable day. From the police and fireman lined up, saluting the plane as we left the terminal, to the incredible memorials, and the more than 2,000 people who greeted us upon our return to Michigan. It was a day I’ll never forget, and it’s because of my dad. When we got back, they took us to the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, where an enormous amount of people waited, they shook my dad’s hand, saluted him, and thanked him for his service. It was amazing,” says Larry. Jerry, at the age of 18, enlisted in the Navy. He served on the USS Apollo in Guam and Japan, later he was stationed in Washington, D.C. where he was military police. Larry is happy his dad was able to participate in the Honor Flight while he is still in good health. Several months ago, Jerry was diagnosed with early dementia and participates in the Adult Day Program at Visiting Nurse Association in Port Huron. The Adult Day Program provides care to individuals with dementia/Alzheimer’s and memory impairments. To learn more about the Adult Day Program at Visiting Nurse Association, visit vnabwh.com. For more information on the Talon’s Out Honor Flight, visit talonsouthonorflight.org.
