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Honor Flight veterans say ‘Thank you’ to Effingham County
Rincon City employees salute vets
Rincon City Hall employees came out to support the Honor Flight group traveling south on Hwy 21 on their way to Washington, DC, May 17. Pictured from left are: Kaylyn Harris, Tiffany Norton, and Robyn Newman. (Photo by Nichole Buchanan/Effingham Herald.)

By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

When the most recent group of veterans left for Washington, DC on their Honor Flight trip, one thing was different from all previous trips.

They gathered and left from the parking lot of the National Guard Armory in Springfield on May 17, rather than from military bases in Savannah or South Carolina.

“What made this trip so special (was) in the past, we've always left from either Hunter Army Airfield or Parris Island. They (soldiers and marines) were out there because they were told to be out there by their commanders,” said Jerry Maennche of Honor Flight Savannah.

“But to do it from a community -- all the people were out there because they wanted to be out there. That made the difference. It's just so overwhelming,” Maennche added. “Everybody (on the bus) was in awe of seeing the people along the streets and the (American) flags. Our law enforcement, (and) first responders in Effingham County are unquestionably the best in the state, if not the country. They were all in 110% on escorting us out of here.”

Honor Flight is a national nonprofit organization that takes veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their memorials. Most veterans that go on the trips now are veterans of the Korea and Vietnam wars.

The purpose of trip is an all-day trip on Saturday to the WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, the Women in Military, the Marine and Air Force memorials, and the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

Maennche said the trip for each veteran costs $650, and the veterans’ costs are covered 100% by donations. Each veteran is escorted by a guardian who must pay their own way.

Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia
Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia escort the motorcoach as it leaves the National Guard Armory in Springfield.
“Effingham County is a very veteran-oriented community,” Maennche continued. “We just want the community to know how much we appreciate their support.”

Maennche wants to specifically thank Guyton Christian Church for hosting the spaghetti dinner the night before they left; and the Daughters of the American Revolution preparing all the food; the JROTC from South Effingham High School presenting the colors; Simply Southern Kafé providing breakfast before the trip; the Women’s Auxillary of American Legion Post 209 providing desserts, Chicken Salad Chick providing box lunches for the daylong trip on Friday; and students from Springfield and Ebenezer elementary schools writing letters of thanks that were distributed on the bus during “mail call.”

The next Honor Flight trip from Effingham County is set for early May 2025. Maennche said the October trip is not being held this year because it’s too close to the November election.

Honor Flight relies solely on donations. To donate as an individual or corporate sponsor, click on www.honorflightsavannah.org, or call Maennche for more information at 912-663-0322.