A group of women veterans from Philadelphia made history Saturday as they became the first all-woman, all-wars Honor Flight from Pennsylvania to visit Washington, D.C.
“I’ve really missed the camaraderie,” said Eileen Richards, who served in the Navy from 1982 to 1986. “I’ve been out for almost 40 years and when we got on the bus, it was immediate with these guys.”
The group of 127 veterans left Philly at 4:30 a.m. to make the drive to the nation’s capital, where they visited Arlington National Cemetery, the Women In Military Service for America Memorial, and the World War II, Korea and Vietnam memorials.
“This is the first all-female Honor Flight from Pennsylvania and only the third in the country to happen,” said Shannon Sperduto, an Honor Flight volunteer.
Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that brings veterans to Washington so they can visit the memorials dedicated to their service.
Richards said military service was in her DNA. Both her parents served and she followed in their footsteps.
“I always thought if I could go into the military and be half the people they were, It would be worth it,” she said.
Lori McMath-Varner served for six years in the Air Force and was not only a member of the Honor Flight but at 50 is the oldest contestant vying for the title of Ms. Veteran America 2019.
“I had the best mentors,” she of her time in the service. “They gave me my direction in life, service before self.”
On hand to greet them at WIMSA was a group of active duty Coasties stationed at Coast Guard Headquarters. They lined up to form a receiving line that cheered, waved flags and gave high-fives to the Honor Flighters as they got off their buses at Arlington.
“They paved the way for me and my fellow female active-duty members to do what we’re doing now, to serve equally with our male counterparts,” said Lt. Jacqueline “Jax” Bethel, who organized the show of support for the women.
Ms. Veteran America 2019 contestant Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado said she was “blown away” by the opportunity to greet the Honor Flight.
“It’s so nice to see multiple generations here today,” she said. “These are the women who forged the path. I think we need to continue to honor that service and tell our stories.”
Sperduto, whose grandfather received a Purple Heart for his service during World War II, had a personal message for female veterans everywhere.
“We absolutely love you and have your backs,” she said.
Washington, D.C. welcomes 135 veterans in all-female honor flight
PHOTOS: Honor Flight bringing veterans to Washington, D.C. for Memorial Day