Patriot Guard Riders

Ladies and Gentlemen,

American Airlines is very proud to announce our 500th Honor Flight into Ronald Reagan National Airport, Arlington VA alone on Saturday, 24 September 2016. In unison of this milestone, this date also marks the exact 10 year anniversary of the very first commercially chartered Honor Flight of any airline which happened exactly ten years ago this weekend in September 2006 which came from Hendersonville, NC (AVL) on US Airways/American Airlines. Hendersonville, NC returns to mark this historic and memorable event under the leadership, vision and cofounder of HonorAir/Honor Flight, Jeff Miller.

I would like to invite you to this special event, not only to be a part of history, but more importantly, to thank the veterans first hand for the sacrifices they have made that has helped us enjoy the freedoms that we currently experience.

Please join me in welcoming these veterans at Reagan National Airport as their plane arrives at 0915a. (Although I expect this flight to arrive early.) Expected at the gate for their arrival include active duty military from most, if not all bases around the city, Bolling, Ft Meade, Andrews, Ft Belvoir, Walter Reed, etc.
Children, teachers and parents of Francis Scott Key Elementary School, VIPs, dignitaries, local VIP, WWII Cadet Nurse Peg Bixler in original uniform, former Executive Director of the Women in Military Service Memorial, Ann Marie Sharratt. Former citizens of the countries of Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Belgium, Israel, England and Cuba, all effected by the bravery and sacrifices of these men and women, members of the Patriot Guard, members of the American Legion of Arlington, VA, media, plus many more surprise guests expected.

Arriving music performed by Mainstreet Community Band of Fairfax, VA.
Departing music by “4 On the Floor with Overdrive” Band plus dozens of Swing Dancers
with Gotta Swing Dance group.

Gate passes will begin being passed out at 0700 and will cease strictly at 0815a for this event. We ask that everyone be at the gate, which will be gate 38 in the C concourse, no later than 0830a. Passes will be passed out at the old Shuttle ticket counter, level two, opposite Sam and Harry’s Restaurant. If you arrive late, please welcome our heroes outside of security and/or the lower level as they walk out to their buses. Lets keep the celebrations going until they pull away from the airport. (Request your gate pass at Honorflightdca.com, hit menu and scroll down to 24 Sept.) Groups of 10 or more, please email Jenny at dcahonorflights.gap@gmail.com)

Parking will be validated courtesy of Ronald Reagan Airport (MWAA.) But we ask that you still try and carpool or take Metro so that we may accommodate as many people as we can.

We are very excited about this milestone, not only for us at American Airlines, but for the Honor Flight organization, and the over 20,000 vets that it has brought in over the last 10 years. Join us for the pomp and circumstance of honoring and thanking our veterans of yesteryear on this very special flight and day.
Hand flags will be provided – sorry, bring your own kleenex.

And if you aren’t too tuckered out from this flight, join us in welcoming our veterans coming in the same morning Madison, WI. Our 501st flight !
600th is just down the road !!!

Greg Locher
Honor Flight Coordinator
American Airlines – DCA

RC. Patrick ( Frenchy) Segui at 571-314-3357

Staging:
Reagan Airport Arlington, VA in front of the AA gate Departure level at 0700, thank you, Patrick Segui.