American Airlines partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation and The National WWII Museum to fly 15 veterans and 18 students to New Orleans on a donated flight.<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2014 It was a special send-off for 15 World War II veterans and Valley students<\/a> at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Wednesday morning, ahead of their departure to New Orleans on a donated charter flight.<\/p>\n RELATED: How to submit your ‘Those Who Serve’ story<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The group is traveling to visit the National WWII Museum, on a trip made possible thanks to a partnership between American Airlines and the Gary Sinise Foundation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re here to thank the World War II generation,\u201d said Randy Stillinger, military and veterans initiatives manager for American Airlines. \u201cWe owe a debt of gratitude\u2026 we like to say at American, we fly freely around the world, because of what you\u2019ve done, so thank you to our World War II veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n Bagpipes could be heard throughout the airport as the veterans were escorted to a special ceremony.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an incredibly exciting and humbling moment today, where we get to salute our World War II heroes,\u201d said Sophia Philis-Ortiz, vice president of Phoenix operations.<\/p>\n The national anthem was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s even more special is seeing our future generations partnered up with these veterans to learn what they went through so they can share their stories with family and friends,\u201d she said. \u00a0<\/p>\n WWII veteran Wing Lai, who served from 1943 to 1946, said he is looking forward to seeing the museum.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything is beautiful here\u2026 I\u2019m just happy to be here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Lai said he hopes some of what he recalls is documented. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI hope some of my view is stated or displayed at the museum,\u201d said Lai.<\/p>\n He also had a message to military members currently serving.<\/p>\n \u201cWar is hell,\u201d said Lai. \u201c\u2026and if we ever get into another war, which I hope not, I hope that they all come back in one piece, because my brother and my wife\u2019s brother did not come back in one piece.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n This departure was especially meaningful, as this is one of only two remaining charter flights left in this historic partnership.<\/p>\n During this send-off, retired Lt. Col. James AG received a heartfelt surprise when he discovered his granddaughter and his daughter, who are both flight attendants, were part of the flight crew.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I\u2019m going to cry\u2026\u201d his granddaughter said.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I know\u2026 It\u2019s okay to cry, this is incredible,\u201d said Julie Rath, senior vice president of global airports, contact centers, and service recovery.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not only an incredible honor for the WWII veterans heading to New Orleans, but also a priceless opportunity for the students traveling alongside them.<\/p>\n They will be away for several days in New Orleans, including recording the veterans’ oral histories at the Museum.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re humbled to be part of moments like these, that pay tribute to our veterans and honor these legacies,\u201d said Rath. \u201cWe are so proud of all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n According to American Airlines\u2019 military and veterans initiatives manager, in addition to the Soaring Valor flights they have done four times a year for the past 10 years, they also support Gary and the Lt. Dan Band by providing charter planes as he travels around the country.<\/p>\n Stillinger said in December they do \u2018Snowball Express\u2019 taking the families of fallen to Disneyworld, and they also support The Medal of Honor Foundation and its new museum in Arlington, Texas, among other similar organizations like the USO, Chef Irvine\u2019s Foundation.<\/p>\n They took 68 WWII veterans to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day last year.<\/p>\n
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere, thanks to the 12News+ app!\u00a0<\/p>\n The free\u00a012News+\u00a0app from 12News lets users stream live events \u2014 including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”\u2014on\u00a0Roku<\/a> and\u00a0Amazon Fire TV<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n 12News+\u00a0 showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.\u00a0<\/p>\n Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.\u00a0<\/p>\n Roku:\u00a0Add the channel from the Roku store<\/a> or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nWatch 12News+ for free\u00a0 <\/p>\n