Honor Flight 115 took off from Chicago’s Midway Airport around 4 a.m. on June 19 with 109 Vietnam War veterans, including Homewood resident James Claydon.
Since 2008, Honor Flight Chicago has been offering veterans a chance to reflect on their time of service and share memories with others who also served their country. Claydon was one of those veterans who was about to receive a special trip and the welcome home he’d always dreamed of.
Claydon served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967 as a welder. The unpopular war divided the country. Upon his return stateside, Claydon was surrounded by protestors in San Bernardino, California, rather than the signs of appreciation for his service that he expected.
Claydon and other veterans finally received their warm welcome when Honor flight 115 landed in Washington, D.C.
“The Honor Flight is life changing. It wiped away all the bad memories of coming home from the war,” Claydon said.
When they arrived at the Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., firefighters performed a water salute over the plane on the tarmac. Claydon and the veterans were met at the airport with thousands of people along with service men and women who welcomed them to the nation’s capital with applause, cheering and “welcome home” posters.
This welcome was initially shocking, but he found the love he received was heartwarming. Clayton said it was a true welcome home.
The day was filled with reflection at different monuments and memorials in the nation’s capital. Claydon visited the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the World War II monument.
“It was wonderful to spend time with fellow Vietnam veterans. Even though we actually didn’t know each other, we were all like brothers,” Claydon said.
Claydon said he was especially excited to have his grandson, Kyle Babcock, who served in the National Guard, by his side as his Honor Flight guardian. It was Babcock’s first visit to Washington, D.C.
Claydon says he’s done a lot of things in his life, but being on the Honor Flight was the most memorable.
