Area veterans to participate in Heights' sixth Honor Flight

Twenty-nine military veterans from three different wars — including nine from Jackson County — will be participating in the upcoming sixth Jackson Heights Honor Flight, according to information provided by USD 335 Superintendent Adrianne Walsh.

During the planned Sept. 17 trip, military veterans will be taken to Washington, D.C. for a day to visit memorials dedicated to those who fought and died in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as other historical monuments. The upcoming trip will also feature a stop at Arlington Cemetery for a viewing of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Jackson Heights became an Honor Flight “hub” in 2008; the Sept. 17 will be the first to involve the participation of Vietnam War veterans, it was noted. More than 140 World War II and Korean War veterans have participated in the school’s five previous flights, it was reported.

Accompanying veterans on each flight are a group of JHHS students who serve as the veterans’ “guardians,” as well as a physician and other “support staff.” A total of 19 JHHS students will be participating in this Honor Flight.

“Honor Flight is a wonderful way to recognize American veterans for their sacrifices and service to our country. Jackson Heights is extremely proud to give back to veterans in this way through the generosity of donations and fund-raising events,” Walsh said in a statement posted at the district’s Web site. 

Veterans scheduled to participate in the Sept. 17 trip include, according to the wars in which they were involved:

* World War II: Arthur Bratton, Atchison; William Brockenshire, Lansing; Melvin Harold, Sabetha; and John Padilla and John Reb, Topeka.

* Korean War: Ray Chadwick, Centralia; Edgar Claycamp, Wetmore; Roy Hale, Mayetta; Victor Hulsing, Seneca; Clifton Johnson, Nortonville; Earl Ketchem, Meriden; Eldon Mulroy, Goff; Francis Schraad and Donald Spielman, Seneca; Robert Stapel, Topeka; Carl Swart, Seneca; Jack Wallisch, Meriden; and Melvin Wells, Holton. 

* Vietnam War: Larry Amon, Netawaka; Leroy Bailey, Topeka, Larry Baxter, Onaga; Lester Crawshaw, Mayetta; Gary Jackman, Topeka; Mickey Moore, Jack Pittaway and Robert Powers, Holton; Clinton Vawter, Carbondale; and Wayne Wheeler and Kenneth Wykert, Circleville. Korean War veterans Claycamp, Hale, Johnson and Ketchem also fought in Vietnam.

Participating JHHS students, serving as “guardians” to the veterans, include Tyler Bloom, Grace Bowhay, Ty Brenner, Brianna Cattrell, Lance Coe, Hanna Davault, Braden Dohl, Xavier Fritz, Brady Holliday, Kaleb Keehn, John Kennedy, Kate Lierz, Ed Mandala, Tayla Manuel, Curtis Niehues, Logan Rethman, Maggie Rostetter, Marley Wareham and Erika White.

The Honor Flight program continues to be funded by volunteer donations. To learn more about the program at Jackson Heights or make a donation to the local program, call Walsh at 364-2194. For information on the national Honor Flight program, visit www.honorflight.org