14 May 2016 Patriot Flight Inc. is a 501(c) (3) all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization created to honor America’s Veterans for all their sacrifices. They fly our local Capital District Veterans to Washington, DC to visit and reflect at their memorials erected for their service, sacrifices and remembrances. Traditionally, top priority is given to the senior Veterans; WWII Survivors along with other Veterans from any war that have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, those with too few tomorrows. Successive priorities are given to the Korean and most recently, the Vietnam War Veterans. The day trip from leaves from Albany, NY and flies to Washington D.C. and is provided at no cost to the veteran. The Veterans are flown back to Albany the same day, where they receive a warm welcome home from the community. Patriot Flight Inc. services a seven-county area including Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Greene, Washington, and Columbia Counties as well as parts of Vermont and Massachusetts. An honor flight has been on my bucket list for a while now but me being only 60, and a Gulf War Veteran, did not except to have the pleasure for a number of years yet. I am retired Army SFC. I Joined the Woman’s Army Corp in 1975 right at the end of the Vietnam Era. I served through the cold war and deployed to Desert Storm. I completed 20 years of service in 1995. I have been retired 20 years already. As it turned out I had the opportunity for this dream to come true; I was invited to go on the 1st all-woman honor flight in New York State and 2nd in our Nation. There were 27 veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, IRAQ and Afghanistan. Four Gold Star mother (those who lost their children for their Nation) and 4 Blue Star mothers (those who have children currently serving). The rest of the 50 total were staff and guardians. We were all assigned a guardian. The lady provided to us as guardian had only four responsible adults, who tended to keep track of her. This activity was sponsored by the Capital District Patriot Flight located in Delmar New York. What an honor it was. The outreach of support from others was so emotional. We started off with a breakfast at the Marriott which included a color guard posting the colors. As we loaded our bus, the Patriot Guard was there to escort us to the airport as well as a Deuce and half truck to lead the convey. There were crowds of well-wishers to send us off at the Albany Airport lining the way to the departure. We did however have to go through the TSA requirements just like everyone else! Were all giving a pink T-shirts so it was easier to keep track of throughout the day and we also received a teal wind breaker, if we to get cold. They even sent me down to the Veteran’s miracle center so I could get a pair of capris for the trip. We all got a bag filled with goodies to include a coin, and a mail bag full of letters and cards. When we landed 55 minutes later there were fire truck that sprayed the plane, I guess it is there type of salute. It was very nice of the 1st responders to come out as well. I have a Facebook friend who was in the Woman Amy Corps who happens to live in Maryland and is a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. She also was there to greet me, along with many, many others waiting at the gate upon our arrival. Get this, as we made our way to ground transportation, as we would work past other gates, each one of members at those gates and would stand and applaud us as we made our way. If there were active duty members with us they would walk alongside with us! Amazing it was like we were in a parade. There was a group of active duty personal studying photo-journalism and videography assigned to document our day’s activities. It was truly amazing; it brought me pure joy and pride. We were on the go from the moment we touch down on D.C. till we were loaded back on the plane to return home. They provided us with a lunch right away and we were ready. We also had our own photographer with us on the flight. We are each will be getting a packet of 2,000 photos! We went on a tour of the Capital building. The dome was under contraction, but it is a spectacular place; so much marble, so large. As a side note I would have to say too much money spent on a building for the amount of work that actually gets done there, but very interesting. We went to the Mall, where all the monuments are: Lincoln, Washington monuments and those dedicated to each group of Veteran’s, the WWII, and Korean, Vietnam, Woman, and Vietnam monuments. At the WWII monument they got a group photo. The Korean War monument is just amazing; it is like you are right there with these life size soldiers in the jungle. We then went to the changing of the guard’s ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I could watch this ceremony all day long but by this time it was pouring rain! We did a drive by around the area, which is just incredible as you drive around it looks like the flag is being raised! It was optical illusion but such an experience. We went by the pentagon. Close up! At the Pentagon there is a memorial garden for those who lost their lives in this building as well as those on the plane that was headed to Washington, D.C., but was taken down by the passengers onboard, on Sept, 9 2011. My favorite was the woman memorial; again amazing!! There was a female General there for us to converse with. You can look up your records. And, of course learn all about woman military history with displays and videos that woman that served have recorded. Would like to do a recording, I will add it to my bucket list. We had a buffet for supper where there were 2 other buses of Veterans from other states on the way back to the airport, like all of us. Remember my friend from Facebook who met me at the airport, well she came to send me off after a long day of seeing all the sites: this amazing woman, veteran and friend who literally came to say goodbye she terminal cancer. This trip was extremely emotionally for me; a complete adrenal rush. My body was extremely tired for the next couple of days after I started to come off the high! We are hoping to get enough woman veterans signed up and raise enough money for another flight, 8 October 2016. I have invited my daughter Megan to come in for Colorado; a veteran who is was an Army SGT. Additionally, I have invited my sister Joy, a Retired Army SFC, Gulf war Era. She lives in Texas now but is originally from this area. I am hoping they will be able to fly in and visit during that time and be able participate. I might try to go as a guardian on that flight as well, not only to share my experience but to help others experience this truly amazing, unique and very special opportunity for all veterans, in particular, that day woman veterans. Penny Lee Deere, SFC (Ret)