By Barbara Augsdorfer, editor for the Effingham Herald
Jerry Maennche of Honor Flight Savannah said when the veterans traveled through Effingham County on their way to Washington, DC, in 2024, he was overwhelmed by the love and support residents showed them.
They’re doing it again in 2025.
The next group of Honor Flight veterans is preparing to leave from the National Guard Armory in Springfield Friday morning, May 16, at 8 a.m.
And, again, Effingham County residents are encouraged to line Ash Street and Laurel Street in Springfield; and Hwy. 21 (all 15 miles of it from Laurel Street to I-95) waving American flags as the motorcoach passes by.
The motorcoach will be escorted by Effingham County sheriff deputies, Rincon and Springfield police departments along Ash, Laurel, and Hwy. 21.
The purpose of Honor Flight is to take veterans to Washington, DC, to see the various war memorials. The entire cost of the trip for the veterans – transportation, lodging, meals – is covered by donations. Each veteran is escorted by a Guardian. Guardians are volunteers who pay for their portion of the trip.
The 23 veterans participating in this 2025 trip include eight from Effingham County: Dan Fields (USMC) from Guyton, Robert Cary (USN) from Rincon, Ernest Edwards (USA) from Clyo, Dorothy Gault (USAF) from Guyton, Rex Inman (USN) from Guyton, Danny Loper (USA) from Rincon, Charles Miller (USN) from Guyton, and Kay Parker (USAF) from Guyton.
Most veterans who participate in these trips served during the Korean Conflict and/or the Vietnam War.
Veterans of these conflicts “are passing away at an alarming rate of 600 per day,” says Larry Spears, Lt., US Navy (ret.), founder of Honor Flight Savannah. “As most of these veterans are more than 80 years of age, it will not be long before they are no longer with us.”
In addition to having the cost of the trip covered for the veterans, local military service groups and local businesses provide meals before the trip or lunches at scheduled stops. Maennche said the Daughters of the American Revolution provide a dinner hosted by First Christian Church of Guyton the night before they leave.
Local school children from Springfield and Ebenezer elementary schools and Ebenezer Middle School get involved by writing letters to the veterans, which are distributed during “Mail Call” on the bus ride back to Effingham County.
Additional community support that Maennche wants to acknowledge are: South Effingham High School JROTC, for posting colors Thursday night; Roseann Brandt and the “Grits Girls” for breakfast on May 16; Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina, for providing lunch on May 16 and several nursing students who will provide medical support; and America Legion Post 209 who will provide service flags.
The weekend-long trip is packed with stops at 10 service and war memorials in the nation’s capital on Saturday, May 17, including the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Stops include the WWII Memorial, Women in Military Service, Korea and Vietnam War memorials, and the Iwo Jima Memorial, among others.
To make a monetary donation to support this trip and future trips, click on www.honorflightsavannah.org. Hover over “more” and click on “donate.”
