ROCHESTER, N.Y. – This weekend marks the fourth Honor Flight out of Rochester, with 61 veterans set to visit the nation’s capital. The veterans will depart from Rochester International Airport on Saturday morning at 6 a.m. to see some of America’s most famous monuments.
Paul Jackson, an Air Force veteran, is among those taking the Honor Flight. Jackson enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 right after high school, serving 6 1/2 years of active duty. He later joined the Air Force Reserve for 16 years.
“The time I spent in Guam. I was on a temporary duty assignment for six months. It was a bombing mission from Guam to Hanoi and Haiphong,” Jackson said. “It was called Bullet Chat three, and what they were doing is they were launching three B-52 bombers, fully loaded every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Jackson said that was exactly what he wanted to be doing. Jackson’s inspiration for joining the military was his older brother, who served from 1965 to 1968.
“He was a paratrooper in the 101st Calvary, and he made it through. And he got out and got married, had three beautiful kids and a beautiful wife,” Jackson said. “And his demons got to him and he decided to end it. So he’s not with us anymore.”
Jackson plans to honor his brother during the trip. “As a matter of fact, we’re going to have a ceremony, which they allow you to do if you have cast members that are not available to make the trip, you can bring a flag and they’ll have a flag ceremony in honor of that individual. And I’m bringing a flag to honor my brother,” Jackson said.
The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report highlights that suicide is the second leading cause of death for veterans under 45. In 2022, there were 6,400 veteran suicides, three fewer than in 2021. Jackson said it will be an honor for him not only to be on the flight himself but to take a flag for his brother.
This weekend marks the fourth Honor Flight from Rochester this year, with two more expected before the end of 2025.
“I think Arlington National Cemetery is the main thing on the list,” Jackson said. “I’ve been there once before, and as a matter of fact, I was asked to present one of the wreaths for the tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. They’re presenting two wreaths, and I’m going to be with another person, and we’re going to carry the wreath,” said Jackson.
Jackson, who has visited D.C. before but never on an Honor Flight, is looking forward to the experience. He knows a few other veterans on the trip but is eager to meet more.
“It gives you some kind of closure and it makes you feel more appreciated,” Jackson said. “When I came home, I was released from Griffis Air Force Base in New York. I got in my car and I drove home, and that was it. It wasn’t like coming back to the airport and having a fanfare or anything like that. It was just over and done with. It was little or no recognition,” said Jackson.
Since 2008, Honor Flight Rochester has flown more than 4,500 veterans to the capital at no cost.
Veterans can apply to be part of Honor Flight here.
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“It makes you feel appreciated”: Rochester Honor Flight to take 61 veterans to D.C. this weekend WHEC.com.
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