Chris Umscheid
Solon’s Gene Greazel was among nearly 90 local veterans who spent last Wednesday touring war memorials in Washington, D.C. on the 55th Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. The flight returned to the Eastern Iowa Airport (Cedar Rapids) around 10:00 p.m. where the veterans were greeted by family, friends, and hundreds of supporters.
CEDAR RAPIDS — A full day. That’s what nearly 90 local veterans had Wednesday, May 14 as they participated in Honor Flight 55 and spent the day touring war memorials in Washington, DC.
Solon’s Raymond “Gene” Greazel, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and 51-year member of Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460, was among them.
Upon their return late Wednesday night to the Eastern Iowa Airport, the vets were greeted by hundreds of supporters as well as families and friends along with a flag line by local veterans organizations including Solon’s Harry Hopp representing the Patriot Guard Riders of Iowa.
Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, was established in 2009 and is dedicated to taking veterans to Washington DC, at no cost, for a day trip spent touring the memorials dedicated to their service including the WW 2, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam, USMC, and USAF memorials as well as Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition a tour of the city is taken to see the Smithsonian, U.S. Capitol, and the White House.
The organization encourages all veterans to apply with priority given to WW2 and Korean War, veterans with advanced health concerns, and Vietnam veterans.
Veterans from other conflicts are also welcomed and a veteran does not need to have seen combat.
For more information contact Eastern Iowa Honor Flight (https://eihonorflight.org) at 855-344-3435, extension 1 or by email at [email protected].