Lyons Township Funds Honor Flight for War Veterans

Lyons Township High School, with the help of its feeder schools, local businesses, and communities, recently raised $50,000 to sponsor an Honor Flight.  Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that flies America’s war veterans to Washington, DC to visit the memorials that honor their sacrifice. 

Almost 100 veterans will be flying out of Midway Airport on May 11th for a day trip to our nation’s capitol.  Upon their return, students will greet the veterans to celebrate their special day and their service to America.

World War II veteran Stanley Nowack of Downers Grove will make his first ever trip to Washington, DC through Honor Flight. Nowack is eager for the event, “I’m excited to see the Memorial (WWII) the most,"  he said, "and we’ll see the other memorials—Vietnam and Korea.  I just hope I don’t get too tired.”

WWII mechanic Charles “Chuck” Tuma of Lisle, is equally excited to spend the day in Washington, DC.  Tuma has been there before, but notes “This will be my first time seeing the Monument. All I’ve seen in DC was cherry blossoms.”  In addition to the WWII memorial, Tuma looks forward to seeing the Capitol Building.

Of all the schools raising money, Highlands Middle School raised the most for the flight. Principal Mike Papierski is very proud of his students, who were all expected to do something small to honor the veterans. “When a township comes together and you have many people doing small things, we can change the world," he said.

Highlands Middle School students raised their contribution by hosting a dance, having pizza sales and raffles.  The students will be there to greet the veterans at Midway when they return from their trip.

Papierski stresses the importance of honoring those who serve America, “As time goes by, patriotism is becoming less important for the youth.  It is up to adults to teach patriotism and to honor America, those who serve it, and what it stands for.”

Both Nowack and Tuma are extremely grateful for the opportunity to go see the nation’s capitol and the memorial dedicated to them.

Nowack notes, “It’s been a long time since they’ve put up a monument for us.  There are not a lot of us left so it’s nice to be recognized.  I thank everybody for the opportunity; everyone who did work for us to be able to go on this trip.”

Tuma shares similar sentiments, “I’d like to thank the students for making it possible for me to go to DC.”