From the Shenandoah Valley to D.C.: A Mission to Honor Veterans

In 2006, as the World War II Memorial was being built in Washington, D.C., a new tradition was born: Honor Flight. The organization is designed to give veterans the opportunity to visit the memorials that stand in their honor, and quickly grew into a nationwide network. But for one Virginia woman, the story of Honor Flight took on a personal meaning.

It all began when Dianne Klopp first heard about Honor Flight, living just an hour from Dulles Airport. At the time, her children were young, and she felt it was important to teach them about patriotism and respect for veterans. Dianne loaded her kids into her minivan and drove to the airport to greet a flight of World War II veterans returning from their visit to the memorial.

The experience left a lasting impact. She was deeply moved by the veterans’ emotions and quickly decided to volunteer. For years, she helped as a guardian, ensuring the veterans were safe and well-cared-for as they made their journey through D.C. But one day, standing in the terminal waiting for another flight to arrive, an idea sparked. She thought, “It’s great that we are doing this for the veterans flying in from across the country; but why aren’t we doing this for the veterans right in the Shenandoah Valley? These veterans were missing out on the same experience, but they, too, deserved a day of honor.”

In 2016, she founded Honor Flight Top of Virginia, an initiative that would bring veterans from the Shenandoah Valley to D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. Since then, 21 trips have been completed, sending veterans to see the memorials of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, along with the iconic Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honor Flight Top of Virgina focuses on veterans who served in Vietnam or earlier, including those who served in Korea or World War II. Any veteran who served prior to May 15, 1975, qualifies, regardless of whether they served in wartime or peace.

In many cases, veterans have never seen the memorials dedicated to their service, and as time passes, they may not have the chance to do so. The organization strives to ensure that these men and women are given the opportunity while they are still able to make the journey.

Each veteran is paired with a guardian for the day—a volunteer who ensures the veteran’s safety, helps with mobility if needed, and makes sure they have everything they need. Guardians are often family members—children, grandchildren—but sometimes, they are volunteers from the community, including ROTC cadets from George Mason University. The role of the guardian is vital, ensuring that veterans can enjoy the day to the fullest without worrying about logistics.

This September, seven BRC residents set out on their own journey with Honor Flight Top of Virginia Mission # 21. Eugene Counts, Paul Graham, Tom Hall, Rob Kloetzer, Ron Pierce, Carter Ritchie, and Tom Womble were accompanied by team members Jeff Lambert and Jeff Ritchie, who served as guardians.

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Eugene, the oldest Korean War veteran on the trip, had the extraordinary honor of laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Reflecting on the experience, he shares, “To me, it was the greatest honor of even being in the service.” Eugene described the day as “momentous,” from visiting memorials like the Korean War Memorial and World War II Memorial to the heartfelt welcome home. He added, “I was proud to have been honored and appreciated, more than I ever expected.” Having his daughter by his side as his guardian made the experience even more meaningful.

Rhonda Collins, Life Enrichment Specialist for Independent Living, has had the honor of serving as a guardian and has supported Honor Flight for years. She begins the day by sending veterans off on their journey with breakfast at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds and is there to welcome them home in the evening. She describes Honor Flight as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for both veterans and their guardians.

The impact of Honor Flight on the veterans who participate is profound. Many of the Vietnam veterans have shared emotional stories of how they were treated when they returned home from war—stories of being spit on, called names, or even attacked. These veterans were not given the respect they deserved upon returning from service, but Honor Flight strives to show them gratitude and remind them that their sacrifices have not been forgotten.

Rob Kloetzer reflects on Mission #21 with heartfelt simplicity: “September 28, 2024, was a day I will always remember.” He adds, “It was a true welcome home—52 years after returning to a country with divided opinions over our involvement in the Vietnam War.”

For many, the trip is a deeply moving experience. One Vietnam veteran, after returning from a past Honor Flight, approached Dianne as she was cleaning up an empty room. “I couldn’t tell you this in front of everyone,” he said, “but I just wanted you to know what an impact this day had on me. Now that I’ve been honored, I can finally die in peace.” His words left a lasting impression on Dianne, becoming one of her most poignant memories.

This powerful sentiment drives the volunteers that keep Honor Flight going. Honor Flight Top of Virginia is run entirely by volunteers, and the organizers do everything they can to ensure that no veteran is left behind. The trip is allinclusive: veterans are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, an Honor Flight shirt to serve as their uniform for the day, and special surprises along the way.

Dianne dedicates her time to Honor Flight Top of Virginia events year-round, but her work goes beyond simply organizing trips. For her, it’s about giving veterans the dignity and honor they deserve—recognizing their sacrifices and ensuring they know that their service matters; it’s about creating memories, both for the veterans and their families; and as she reflects on this journey, Dianne knows one thing for sure: “It’s worth every bit of the hard work. We are here to let them know we have not forgotten.”

The next Honor Flight will depart from Harrisonburg on September 27, 2025, and veterans from all over the region are encouraged to sign up. There are no waiting lists, and each veteran who registers is guaranteed a spot. BRC veterans can sign up at www.honorflight-tov.org/forms or by calling (540) 692-9197.