Honor Flight recognizes local
veteran, Captain Robert Doonan
BY MARYKAY CHAMPLIN
On Saturday, May 11, 2019, The
Honor Flight left Westchester Airport
early in the morning for Wash-
ington DC.
Aboard that fl ight was Throggs
Neck American Legion Post 1456’s,
and 2018 Veterans’ Parade Grand
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 30 UNE 28-JULY 4, 2019 BTR
Robert Doonan (r) met with fellow veterans
during the event.
Photo courtesy of Marykay Champlin
Robert Doonan (c) received a hero’s welcome at the event. Photo courtesy of Marykay Champlin
Marshal Bob Doonan.
Bob participated in Hudson Valley
Honor Flight Mission 23 and said,
“Words cannot express the feelings.”
It became apparent some years ago
that the nation’s veterans were aging
and becoming unable to travel.
The Honor Flight program was developed
to ensure that our veterans
get to experience the war memorials
built in their honor.
Veterans are chosen on the basis
of their time in service with World
War II Veterans seated fi rst.
The Honor Flight program is now
actively seeking Vietnam veterans.
The honorees are guests of the
program and are escorted to the memorials
and Arlington Cemetery via
motorcade.
They are welcomed at every site
with applause and special treatment.
The Honor Flight is run by volunteers
(a guardian accompanies each
veteran) who say that this Honor
Fight is only a small token of appreciation
compared to the sacrifi ces
made for our country by these Veterans.
The veterans experienced a
very real WELCOME HOME at
Westchester Airport, arriving to a
large crowd of friends and family
chanting “USA, USA” and holding up
“Welcome Home” signs.
Bob was astounded by the size of
the crowd waving American fl ags
and was happy to see that his daughter
Adrianne and wife Arlene were
among the crowd.
Arlene is a member of the American
Legion Auxiliary 1456 and with
her were members of Auxiliary from
Post 156, Hawkins Post on City Island
cheering in their red shirts.
Congratulations Robert Doonan
and thank you for your service.