Vernon resident escorts veteran on Honor Flight

VERNON — Linda Smigen, A longtime Vernon resident and a member of the Military Moms of Vernon, participated in an Honor Flight for the Hudson Valley Veterans on Saturday May 9.

She was a volunteer Guardian to Gerard Russo of Somers, N.Y. Russo is a 92 year young Veteran of the U.S. Army. He served as a PFC in Guadalcanal and the Philippines back during World War II. The Hudson Valley Honor Flight Chapter escorts WWII veterans to Washington DC for a full day of honoring war heroes.

They arrived after the 45-minute flight in Washington, D.C. with a huge turnout of greeters and musicians again cheering and waving flags. These Heroes are given a day of recognition they were never given back in the day. They returned from war and went back to work. They boarded buses and were provided a box lunch. Then off they went with a full police escort through Washington DC to the WW2 Memorial, where they take a class picture and were able to view the memorial built in their honor. The group also traveled to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where they observed the changing of the guard.

Smigen became involved as a volunteer guardian for the 8th mission of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight Chapter because she wanted to find a way to serve others in honor of her son, who is serving as U.S. Army lieutenant with the 101st in Ft Campbell Ky.

"With my son currently serving I see someone in the beginning of service to our country and to be with these veterans I am then at the end by giving back to those who served so long ago," she said. "My Dad was Navy and my father-in-law was Army Air Corp, and I wish I were able to participate with them.

There are four scheduled flights per year, two out of Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., which is very close for Sussex County residents and two flights out of Westchester County Airport. one each in the spring and in the fall.

For a veteran interested in Sussex County, contact Smigen at csmigen@gmail.com or 973-271-1499.