As many of you know, we said farewell to WWII Veteran Mr. Travis Budlong. We were so honored to have him on Honor Flight Austin’s inaugural flight.
Ken Herman, with the Austin American Statesman continues to emphasize the importance of Honor Fight’s mission, with his article, “Honor Flight came just in time for World War II veteran”
“Travis Budlong died last week, offering a poignant reminder of the importance of the Honor Flight program that takes World War II veterans to the Washington, D.C., memorial that honors them.” “Like all the vets on the Honor Flight trip, Budlong was deeply moved by the experience.”
Photo by Rodolfo Gonzalez via the Austin American Statesman ”Travis Budlong, left, and Jesse Farmer hugged during Austin’s inaugural Honor Flight visit to the World War II Memorial”
January 14, 2013 we lost Mr. Vic Mathias. Mr. Mathias was instrumental in helping Honor Flight Austin secure enough funding to take the Inaugural trip in June 2012 in which he attended. A prominent leader in Austin, Honor Flight is privileged to know such a smart and influential man and to have flown him to visit his WWII Memorial in D.C.
To learn more about Vic Mathias and the impact he made in Austin visit his website; www.vicmathias.com.
This is a photo of Mr. Mathias during his service in the Army.
Sr “Jim”. Mr. Watters was a Pearl Harbor Survivor who came on the third and final 2012 Honor Flight trip. Mr. Watters began his service at Ford Island Naval Air Station in 1941. After serving in the south pacific with his squadron, VP/VPB-23, Jim finished his active duty as a Lieutenant Commander at Olathe NAS in Kansas.
Throughout this life, Mr. Watters remained involved in the world of aviation and served for a time as Confederate Air Force squadron in Burnet. To read more about Mr. Watters please click here.