Surprise

[oldtimer]

I had a inkling, but the day was overwhelming....

I was awaken at 5 AM by a assigned aid who quickly dressed me in some of my best duds...About 5:30 am my son and son-inlaw came into my room and drove me to the Westchester County Airport where I was met by a crowd of several hundred a marching band and dozen of family members and friends...Coffee and breakfast were served to all...The crowd got bigger...

After more ceremony's and a bagpipe salute about 250 entered a giant passenger plane for a trip to Washington D.C. which took a little over and hour...

We were given a box lunch and began a tour with bands and Police Escorts to all monuments which ended with a stop and more ceremony's at Arlington burial ground where the crowd grew even bigger...We left with a band and escort to a hotel where we treated to a steak dinner for several hundred...

Back to Regan Airport and more greetings, The little over an hour flight home where we again met by a giant crowd and a band...I for some reason was the last person to be assisted off the plane and I again amazed the applause and handshakes from the hundreds that gathered.....

As most of you have derived from some of my cynical postings, I have become disappointed in the direction our country is going, yesterday I learned There is still hope...

The entire trip was paid by ''Honor Flights of America''. They have chapters in every state...The people all volunteers are remarkable and their organization, planning and devotion is outstanding....

A trip I will never forget.....

[Joebird]

Old timer sounds like a great day and coincidentally my daughter and her Girl Scout troop were at westchester airport greeting you and the other veterans returning from Washington.

[sharkey]

Great day OT. And may I add well deserved

[qs]

Bravo!

[jb]

Could not have happen to a better person.

[Cjb]

www.lohud.com/picture-gallery/news/local/westchester/2016/05/14/hudson-valley-honor-flight-send-off/84368874/

[Cjb]

Here's one more of OT telling The County Executive how to run Westchester.

Classic.

[GuyF]

This is excellent!!!

[tootie223]

The best news i have had in a looong two plus weeks.

[hawaii bill]

Awesome!!!

[oldtimer]

As a perfect ending to my surprise day, yesterday I received a giant envelope which contained dozens and dozens of EMAILS, PHOTO'S and LETTERS from family, friends, retired and active Police Officers, school children and Scout groups from throughout Westchester area and many far beyond that I had not from heard from in years...

I will be spending much of the day reading them, and much of the days ahead responding...I am sure in doing so I will shed a memory tear or two........

I later found that this was put together by my daughters and son in conjunction with the Honor Flight staff who did not miss a thing...

What a great group, and what a great family!!!!!!!!!

[gregcrow]

Hey - How come I wasn't invited?

Sounds like a great day. What a cool thing for your children to do for you!

[chelseadal]

Congratulations OT. A well deserved incredible honor!

[ic59]

OT, while in DC, I hoped you were able to schedule a game or two, with Georgetown and GW. And all the best on a well deserved honor.

[oldtimer]

OT, while in DC, I hoped you were able to schedule a game or two, with Georgetown and GW. And all the best on a well deserved honor.[/quote]59


59......50 years or so ago lesser NYC areas team began upon occasion beat the few local controlling Baron's...This caused great concern among those in power who took the easy way out by simply taking the most serious challengers off their schedule...Thus the death of natural rivalries and a half a century of great inner Metro basketball ...

This selfish interest will soon be gone and we can once again make those short trips to those highly anticipated games...

My one wish is to have the ARMY band once again fill the rafters of Hynes as we stand in tribute to our National anthem.....