Listen to Mayor Lee Leffingwell pay tribute to Vic Mathias in this audio clip, click HERE to listen.
After 86 years of faithful service to his God, family, country and community, Mr. Mathias passed away on January 14, 2013. Mr. Mathias, a decorated WWII Veteran and a prominent leader in Austin was instrumental in making Austin the great city that it is today. He also played a key role in helping Honor Flight Austin secure enough funding to make the Inaugural flight in June 2012, in which he and his brother Arnold (also a WWII Veteran) participated. Honor Flight is privileged to have known such a brilliant and influential man; it was an honor to take him to visit his WWII Memorial in D.C.
The picture above is a picture of Mr. Mathias (light blue shirt) with his family, including his brother Arnold who also served in WWII and went on our trip, as we arrived back to Austin after our inaugural trip.
It is with deep sorrow we share this news, as another one of America’s Greatest Generation leaves us. All of us in Honor Flight Austin are honored to have served Mr. Vic Mathias on our Inaugural trip to the WWII Memorial. Mr. Mathias was pivotal in our efforts to raise funds so that nearly 100 WWII veterans could visit the memorial dedicated in their honor last year. Mr. Mathias became close to many of our board members and all personally give thanks for having the chance to know him.
You can learn more about Vic Mathias by visiting www.VicMathias.com
