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WWII Veteran 'Honor Flights' to Washington D.C.

Tom Wilmer

Honor Flight’s primary mission is to escort WWII veterans from around the country to visit the iconic war memorials in Washington D.C. The first Honor Flight occurred in May, 2005 when a group of private pilots, at their own expense, flew a handful of Vets to Washington D.C. 

Subsequently, a nationwide Honor Flight network was established with regional hubs. Since 2006, all Honor Flight hubs have employed commercial aircraft due to the program’s burgeoning popularity. Come along and join correspondent, Tom Wilmer as he visits with Bear McGill, Central Coast Honor Flight’s chairperson, as he shares passionate personal stories about the poignant pilgrimages with WWII vets.

Tom Wilmer produces on-air content for Issues & Ideas airing over KCBX and is producer and host of the six-time Lowell Thomas award-winning NPR podcast Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer. Recorded live on-location across America and around the world, the podcasts feature the arts, culture, music, nature, history, science, wine & spirits, brewpubs, and the culinary arts--everything from baseball to exploring South Pacific atolls to interviewing the real Santa Claus in the Arctic.