Locally, this flight is helped made possible for veterans through the Vets Finding Vets program at the Fenton History Center, run by Barb Cessna. The trip took place on April 18 and 19, and Cessna said the three veterans were already getting to know each other when they met the week before.

“After having been to the Honor Flight Breakfast Meeting one week prior to the Honor Flight trip to Washington DC, our Vets and their two sons and daughter were ready to enjoy the experience,” Cessna said. “During the breakfast and meeting of April 11, they sat at the same table and began getting to know each other. With two from Jamestown and one from Falconer, they are close enough to continue the friendship they began that day. Now, after all of the sights, sounds, and memories of the two day ‘trip of a lifetime’, they are still amazed and thankful to the Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight network and volunteers.”

The three veterans were Robert Asel, who came with his son, Josh Asel, Phillip Lindsey, who came with his daughter Christine Anderson, and Joseph Martin, who came with his son, Jim Martin. All three veterans served in Vietnam.

“I served as a medic in 1968 and 1969,” Robert Asel said. “I got to go on the Honor Flight because my wife signed up for me, and I really liked the Vietnam Wall.”

Phillip Lindsey, who served as a mechanic during Vietnam, recently went on the Honor Flight with his daughter, Christine Anderson, who is also a veteran.

For his son, Josh Asel, being able to experience this trip with his father is something he will always remember.

“This was something that was the opportunity of a lifetime,” Josh Asel said. “These memories and this opportunity is something we will share for the rest of our lives. I got to share a rare moment with my father, and I’m really appreciative of that.”

Phillip Lindsey spent his time in service in what he referred to as an “ordinary” way, saying he went overseas with his company, which they had to take with them and build there. While the company that they built together did not see as much action as others, Lindsey said he spent his time as a mechanic for Huey aircraft, putting up tents, and building bunkers. For him, the trip gave him the ability to see the monuments, and he added he had hoped to see some people he knew as well.

“I liked checking out the monuments and stuff with the other veterans,” Lindsey said. “I had hoped to run into some of those men that I had gone with, but I didn’t. Arlington Cemetery was my favorite, and the couple of monuments with it. I enjoyed it all; I found it really informative, and they told us about the things you don’t get to read in history books.”

Part of that, Lindsey added, was hearing all about the monuments and why they were built.

Joseph Martin attended the Honor Flight with his son, Jim Martin.

His daughter, Christine Anderson, who is also a veteran, said sharing this experience with her father was very special.

“It was a really awesome experience,” Anderson said. “My dad served in Vietnam, and it was not a good environment when he came home. This was a way to honor him for his service when he stood up for the draft, which not everyone did. As a veteran myself, getting to go was an amazing experience.”

The experience was a great one for Joseph Martin as well.

“I wanted to go on the Honor Flight because I wanted to see what it was all about,” Joseph Martin said. “I really enjoyed the whole trip.”

Joseph Martin went on the trip with his son, Josh Martin.

Pictured is the overall group of Vietnam Veterans who attended the most recent Honor Flight.

For other local veterans that served in WWII, Korea or Vietnam, or their families or those who know any veterans that would be interested in participating in an Honor Flight, call the Fenton History Center, (716)664-6256 and ask for Barb Cessna, Project Coordinator of Vets Finding Vets.

Pictured are two of the local veterans and their children at the airport.