The Vietnam veterans returned to a home they hardly recognized — a country overshadowed by protests, riots, and resentment. For many of them, the reception was almost as cold as the battles they had fought abroad.
Ann Solomon grew up hearing stories of service and sacrifice from her father, a World War II veteran, and her grandfather, who served in World War I. While they rarely spoke about the war in detail, their pride in their service left an immeasurable impression on her. Her family’s patriotism, compiled with the stories she later heard of veterans returning home to hostility instead of gratitude, compelled Solomon to volunteer for Honor Flight.
“I felt it was something both my father and grandfather would have done if they’d had the opportunity,” she shared.
She feels a strong connection to the military and its veterans, and when she first heard about Honor Flight through a local chamber ambassador, her interest lingered. Years later, two friends mentioned volunteering on an upcoming flight, and Solomon knew it was time to act.
Honor Flight Middle Tennessee offers veterans in Southern Middle Tennessee a chance to visit the monuments and memorials built in their honor in Washington, D.C. For many veterans, it’s not just a trip but an opportunity for long-overdue healing.
“These veterans deserve to see how their service is remembered,” Solomon explained.
A day of reflecting and connecting
For Solomon, one of the most touching moments came at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Her assigned veteran, a man who had carried his memories quietly for decades, stood silently before the wall. As he searched for the names of his high school best friend and a fellow Seabee who had died in the line of duty, the weight of those losses fell heavily on him, and Solomon felt it as well.
“He was overcome with emotion,” Ann recalled. “It was hard for him, but then we stopped at a statue nearby, and that brief pause seemed to redirect his thoughts. He took a breath, gathered himself, and we moved forward to find the names.”
Later, during the “mail call” — similar to the letters soldiers received during their service — her veteran sat with a pile of letters he hadn’t expected.
“He told me his family wasn’t good at writing letters, so he didn’t think there would be anything for him,” Solomon said.
The bundle of letters included notes from local veterans’ organizations and children and, most surprisingly, heartfelt letters from his wife and sister. Ann said she would never forget the look of astonishment and gratitude on his face.
Moments that matter
The day carried many moving experiences: the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the solemn comradeship among veterans, and the touching tributes from strangers who came up simply to say, “Thank you for your service.”
Each interaction brought the veterans closer to the recognition many of them had been denied for so long.
Healing takes flight
From the early morning send-off, escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, to the fire truck salute on the runway in Washington, D.C., every detail of the Honor Flight experience is designed to honor these heroes. Veterans are celebrated with breakfast, greeted by cheering crowds at the airport, and serenaded by a military band playing their branch’s song.
For many, this trip is their first time openly reflecting on their service. Solomon noticed how her veteran, initially reserved, began sharing more and more as the day went on.
“It was very touching — at first, the conversation was very surface level, learning about his family — and once we visited the wall, the stories began. He started sharing more and more details about the people he visited.”
Honor Flight Middle Tennessee, part of the national Honor Flight Network founded in 2005, has taken thousands of veterans on unforgettable journeys. The organization prioritizes terminally ill veterans, those from earlier wars, and Korean and Vietnam veterans with disabilities.
Coming full circle
The day ends where it began: with gratitude. As the veterans returned home, large crowds greeted them with waving flags, clapping, and cheering.
“When the Vietnam veterans came back from their service, they were not given grand welcomes — they were met by protests and people who were not happy with what they had done. The love and support that the Veterans were given throughout this trip was phenomenal.”
Many veterans, including Solomon’s, fought back tears as the crowd met them with an overwhelming outpouring of love after they landed. These men had given everything — their hearts, souls, and sacrifices — for the country they loved to help future generations live freely. At that moment, it felt like the gratitude they had waited a lifetime to receive had finally come full circle.
“It has a huge impact on the veterans,” Solomon said. “A lot of these veterans would not go if it weren’t for this program. The Vietnam era veterans get to see that they truly are appreciated for their service. It also gives them time to reflect on their service and see the names of their fellow soldiers on the wall, and it brings back both the good times they shared and the loss of their fellow man.”
Solomon encourages anyone considering volunteering for Honor Flight to take the leap.
“Lead by example — if you see a veteran or know one — give them a simple ‘thank you’ for their service. Most of them proudly wear hats that show what branch and war they served,” she said.
Solomon said once you volunteer, you’ll find yourself wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.
Gratitude in motion
Solomon looked back on her Honor Flight experience and the lessons her father and grandfather had taught her — that service, in any form, honors those who came before us and leaves a mark on those who come after us.
Through Honor Flight, Solomon not only honored her family’s sacrifice but also helped ensure that every veteran, especially those who came home to protests instead of parades, felt the gratitude they deserved.
She said, “It is never too late to show gratitude and love. They were shown an enormous amount of love and gratitude that day. It will be a day that they will always remember and hopefully wipe away all the adversity they faced.”
