Story and photos by Hannah Amos
 
The American Legion Auxiliary-sponsored all-female veteran Lone Eagle Honor Flight traveled to various memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C. with 46 Vietnam and Korean era veterans. Veterans on the trip had the opportunity to make lasting connections with each other and be honored in our nation’s capital.

Irene Willison, a U.S. Army Vietnam era nurse, Auxiliary member, and Legionnaire, noted this unique connection. 
 

“It’s especially important that it’s all women because there’s a special camaraderie; there’s a special dynamic when it’s all women,” Willison said. “It’s an experience of a lifetime.”

A big moment on the trip: Female veterans getting recognition for their service. 

U.S. Navy Vietnam era veteran Dianna Dopp found a highlight when all of the women who served in Vietnam were cheered and recognized. 

“Just the looks on their faces to finally be recognized was just — it was very heartwarming,” Dopp said about the Vietnam veterans receiving cheers while arriving at the airport. 

With that, she also appreciated the trip recognizing women in the service.

“I’ve gone to so many different things — Memorial Day, all these different things where they hand out flags … the kids will come by and they’ll give it all to the men. We’ll say, ‘Excuse me; we’re veterans too.’ And they say, ‘OK, we didn’t realize,’” Dopp said. “It’s coming to the point where a lot of people are realizing that hey, we have women in the service.”

American Legion member Marie Anderson, Korean War U.S. Marine Corps veteran, added on to the feeling of recognition. At the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, she felt emotional for having a physical recognition of her service.

“I feel so honored to be here and for the Auxiliary for getting us here. It’s absolutely awesome. I can’t explain how much it means to me,” Anderson said.

For Anderson, it was a bit of a whirlwind getting on her flight. Her daughter, Debbie, saw the Honor Flight application in an email and immediately asked Anderson if she wanted to go. After getting that “yes,” they had two days before the deadline to apply.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do but never thought it was possible that I would be on a flight like this,” Anderson said. 

On a day filled with high emotions, honor, and recognition, the enjoyment veterans felt for this opportunity was near indescribable. 

“It’s been amazing. Just absolutely amazing,” Willison said. “It makes me proud to be an American. I’m amazed at all the women who are on here, and I don’t even know how to describe the joy I feel being here and to be able to see all these memorials.”

Cynthia Gatlin, a U.S. Air Force Vietnam era veteran, had many unforgettable experiences during the Lone Eagle Honor Flight, from meeting and bonding with other female veterans to sharing her story and insight with younger generations.
 
“I’ve been saying all day, ‘My cup runneth over.’ This is one of the most wonderful experiences of meeting other veterans during the Vietnam War, where female veterans weren’t treated very well, and we’re all together and we all love each other,” Gatlin said. “It’s unbelievable. I have no words for the feeling, but it’s wonderful.”

The Lone Eagle Honor Flight ended at the Military Women’s Memorial, a location many of the veterans were looking forward to, which honors America’s servicewomen.

To see more of the ALA-sponsored all-female Lone Eagle Honor Flight, follow our social media @ALAforVeterans on Facebook and Instagram.