Jean Gordon
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 12:11 pm
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The Blue Ridge Honor Flight's trip to Washington, DC on April 19 included six Vietnam Veterans and four guardians from Rutherford County as they visited the war memorials and monuments placed in their honor.
Vietnam veterans were Neil Baker, Bruce Lancaster, Jim Ayers, Gunny Swope, Mary Ann Smith and Bill Weatherman.
Guardians were Susan Harris, VA nurse, Lisa Marie Barrett, an Honor Flight Guardian since 2020, Vilma Lazo and Jennifer Hodge, Weatherman's daughter-in-law.
Guardians accompany veterans throughout the day, ensuring their safety and supporting them during what is often an emotional and healing experience
Weatherman said the trip was much more than he could have ever wished for and is grateful for the opportunity to have gone on the flight. "Cold chills ran all over me," he said of the experience.
Smith, 88, was an Air Force nurse during the Vietnam War and although she didn't go to Vietnam , she treated wounded soldiers when they were transported to various hospitals.
One of Smith's favorite stops in Washington was at Arlington National Cemetery where she had an opportunity to see the Changing of the Guard.
Susan Harris of Forest City was Vietnam Veteran Neil Baker's guardian.
"It was definitely an honor, very humbling to be in and among a group of World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans," Susan said. "My whole reason for being there was to make sure the veteran could enjoy the experience," she said of Baker, a friend from the community. "Sometimes they have to have assistance and I tried to stay focused so he could enjoy the time,"Susan said.
"The biggest take away for me was I have always tried to thank a veteran when I see them for their service and welcome them home," she said. "But the Welcome Home reception (Asheville airport) for the veterans took on a whole new meaning for me as I 'thank' a veteran," she said. "It was definitely an honor."
Marine Vietnam Veteran William "Gunny" Swope, who went to Vietnam on his 18th birthday, said the trip was "far more than I expected. All of it was good and I have been to the Wall (Vietnam War Memorial) but had never gone up to look at the names," he said.
Swope was encouraged to go on the trip by the late Sgt. Major Don Barrett, who went on the trip in 2024. Swope and Barrett served in Vietnam together. "The trip was therapeutic for me. I recommend the trip to anyone," said Swope. (Barrett died in October 2024.)
Lisa Barrett, who has served as a guardian on the honor flights since 2020 said, "April 19 left an indelible mark on my heart as I accompanied Jim Ayers and Bruce Lancaster on the Blue Ridge Honor Flight. Standing beside these two extraordinary veterans as they were honored for their service was a moment of deep pride, gratitude, and reflection. Their courage and sacrifice are woven into the fabric of our freedom - and sharing this day with them is something I will carry with me forever."
Lancaster was in the Army from October 1966 until October 1968 and was in Vietnam for one year. While there he worked for the Army Mortuary and was classified as a specialist to help identify soldiers who were killed in action. After the identification process, Lancaster said the bodies were then airlifted to the primary mortuary in Saigon. "Actually it was not that bad of a job after I got used to it. And how I got picked for it I'll never know. When I went into the Army I was a carpenter," he said. He thought he would be on construction detail. Although Lancaster lived in Baltimore for eight months and had been to Washington and to the Vietnam Wall many times, "This was the first time I'd been there with a group of veterans. That made the trip so special."
Jim Ayers said his heart was most touched by receiving a "surprise box" while on the plane. "We had a mail call on the plane," Ayers began. He said every veteran received a box with an assortment of mementos from friends and family. "I had 94 letters and things that were put in there to honor me. It meant as much to me as anything, that they cared that much for me."
Ayers was in the military police force and did security in Vietnam. "It was a pretty rough place, but I had it easy compared to the other guys," Ayers said. He also said he had been to Washington before, but being on the Blue Ridge Honor Flight was different. "It was something else to be with these fellow veterans. Hearing their stories and sharing everything," he said.
The flight included 99 military heroes, with 87 Vietnam War veterans, six Korean War veterans, one World War II veteran, and two Gold Star family members.
The veterans visited some of the most sacred sites in the nation's capital, including the Iwo Jima War Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery- where they witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The next Honor Flight is tentatively set for September 27, 2025. Barrett reminds everyone, Real ID's will be mandatory for future flights so any veteran that does not have a valid VA card or Passport, will be required to have a Real ID.
To learn more, apply online, or support future flights, visitblueridgehonorflight.com.