A wave of patriotism and respect washed over the veterans who returned to the Indianapolis International Airport after their Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., April 5. Woodrow Wilson Hairl, 87, was a part of the group of 70 World War II veterans who flew to our nation’s capital to tour the national monument to the Great War and its heroes.
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| Woodrow in DC . |
He also says it was quite a sight to view the country from an airplane window. This honor flight was his very first experience traveling by airplane.
When he went overseas in the 1940s, Hairl
crossed the ocean by ship. "I had never been on a plane before," he said, "so I was able to
experience that. I was able to show people what I stood up for
and what I fought for and what this country is all about," says Woodrow,
who traveled alongside HVAF volunteer and flight sponsor Jim Thompson.
Hairl entered the U.S. Army at age 16 and after basic training traveled by ship to Europe. His wartime experience consisted mostly of helping secure areas where battles already had occurred earlier in the war, he says. He spent time in France, Germany and Switzerland.
Hairl’s trip was organized by a group of volunteers affiliated with Indy Honor Flight, a group whose mission is to honor military veterans.
Hairl, who has experienced stints of homelessness in the years since his military service, relies on HVAF for food, hygiene items and clothing.
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| Woodrow photographed with other veterans |
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| Woodrow in the wave of veterans in DC |
