Use controls above or click here to open this Hometown Heroes podcast in a new window
Episode #734 of Hometown Heroes, airing May 20-23, 2022, celebrates the return of Honor Flights throughout the United States, while introducing you to a book about World War II veterans, from which all proceeds go towards sending deserving veterans to their memorials in Washington, D.C.

The Honor Flight Network, which boasts individually operated “hubs” throughout the country, dedicated to flying veterans, free of charge, to our nation’s capital, grounded all flights in 2020, with the moratorium lasting until late 2021. In every area in which Hometown Heroes airs on the radio, there is an Honor Flight effort returning to the skies in 2022. In central California this past week, Central Valley Honor Flight celebrated its first voyage since the pandemic, with 63 veterans whose service spanned World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War, returning to a lively reception at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

25 veterans who had been in line for the chapter’s next flight when the pandemic began, but passed away during that hiatus, were honored with special displays that accompanied the flight to Washington, D.C. Surviving family members for 15 of those veterans were on hand to receive shadowboxes featuring photos of the veterans, along with flags that had journeyed to the memorials. One of those honored was Chuck Keen, a Pearl Harbor survivor who shared his story on Hometown Heroes on episode #604 in 2019.
You’ll hear a brief excerpt of Keen’s memories of December 7, 1941 on this episode, as well as what it sounded like when a bagpipe-led procession of 63 veterans reached the waiting crowd of approximately 1,500 people at the welcome home event.

This episode also features Steve Ranson, who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 28 years of service in the Nevada National Guard and Army Reserve, explaining the story behind the book Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War, from which all proceeds go toward sending veterans to their memorials with Honor Flight Nevada. Ranson, who collaborated with fellow journalists Ken Beaton and David Henley to produce the anthology of World War II veterans’ stories, will talk about the project and sign books on Wednesday, May 25th at the Churchill County Museum in Fallon, NV. Two more opportunities to purchase the book and have it signed by the authors will come on Memorial Day Weekend. Honor Flight Nevada’s 8th Annual “Summer Salute” at Washoe County Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno is Saturday, May 28th. The next day, Sunday May 29th, books will be available from 8 a.m. until noon at the organization’s “Community Coffee” in the west parking lot at Atlantis Casino.

The book features stories showcasing many different aspects of World War II history, all with connections to Nevada, from the state’s only Medal of Honor recipient, to memories relating to Pearl Harbor, D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and more. One veteran featured in the compilation is World War II submariner Del Schwichtenberg, who shared his story on Hometown Heroes on episode #526 in 2018. To date, proceeds from the book have generated approximately $20,000 for Honor Flight Nevada. Ranson and his co-authors are currently working on a similar book showcasing Vietnam veterans and their stories, which they expect to complete in the next year, hoping to make Honor flights possible for even more veterans.
—Paul Loeffler