It’s finally time to take off after a yearlong delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Without further ado, Honor Flights are in motion again at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
SFO TSA Manager Hector Rodriguez said on May 19, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans took a trip from San Francisco to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifices.
The Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation joined forces with SFO United Service Organizations (USO) for the third time to host the annual Honor Flight to the nation’s capital.
Rodriguez said TSA, Covenant Aviation Security (CAS) and Alaska Airlines partnered to provide all 56 veterans a courteous check-in and screening experience in addition to delightful refreshments.
TSA Manager Reynaldo Cruz said CAS Manager Craig Breeggemann’s team collaborated with TSA Supervisor Michael Singleton and his team to facilitate the screening for the first resumed SFO Honor Flight.
Together they helped carry out the Operation Resolve mission. “They represented CAS and TSA with both compassion and professionalism as they conducted their duties,” Cruz added.
Operation Resolve’s January 2010 plan committed to the mission of getting as many WWII veterans to visit their memorials at our nation’s capital at no cost to them. Over a decade later, that plan continues to be progressively successful.
“These veterans have waited 76 years, 4 months and 18 days for this one final mission,” Cruz emphasized.
Passengers and airport employees applauded in celebration as the veterans boarded for a memorable trip.
By TeaNeisha Barker, TSA Strategic Communications & Public Affairs
Related story: 100th Honor Flight Takes Off From Chicago’s Midway