Those five veterans consisted of James Buffone of Jamestown, Richard Hausladen of Forestville, Thomas Hebeisen of Portland, Marvin Oquist of Jamestown and Herbert Wiltsie of Frewsburg. The flight took place over the weekend of October 12-13 and took the veterans to Washington DC to tour the monuments.

Buffone served in the Army during the Vietnam War, serving three years on active duty and one year based in Vietnam. He said he decided to take this trip because others had talked about it.

“Everyone who participated in it tells me not to miss it,” Buffone said. “I applied and was finally able to apply. It was a little overwhelming when we got back to Buffalo. The welcome there was incredible, because when we returned from Vietnam, we were protested instead of welcomed. »

Hebeisen served from 1968 to 1972 in Vietnam with the Blue Water Navy, with which he sailed off the coast of Vietnam. He also later served in the National Guard and is a member of the Brocton American Legion Post.

“I wanted to take this trip to connect with other veterans and see the nation’s capital and memorials, which I had never seen before,” Hebeisen said. “I enjoyed watching the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery and the Korean memorial stood out to me.”

For Hebeisen, although he didn’t personally know anyone whose name was on the Korean memorial, he said he knew 50 people from Chautauqua County served and died there.

Wiltsie served from 1960 to 1964, which he said was right at the end of the Korean War and the start of Vietnam. He said his nephew had prepared everything for him to fly and it surprised him, but he was happy to go.

“It was very interesting and heartwarming,” Wiltsie said. “Those were sad times, but there were also good times. I enjoyed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and I think these soldiers must be really dedicated to do it.

Hausladen served from August 1965 to August 1967, completing his basic training at Fort Dixon, New Jersey, his studies in Maryland and his tour of duty in Vietnam. He said his favorite part of the trip was visiting the Vietnam Wall and that it was a “great honor” to go.

“I’ve never been to Washington, D.C., and my friends who made the trip told me about it,” Hausladen said. “I also wanted to go for myself, and it was definitely worth it.”

Hausladen added that members of Channel 7 were also on the trip with them and will be airing a special on the honor flight on Veterans Day. Hausladen was also interviewed about this, next to the Vietnam Wall.

Oquist served in the Army in Korea as part of the 38th Parallel. He said he heard about the trip and contacted the Fenton History Center’s Vets Finding Vets program, which coordinates the trip for the area, and was accepted. Additionally, Oquist said he found the whole thing remarkable and didn’t have a favorite part because he enjoyed it all. He said veterans, especially those from World War II, were treated like important diplomats, including a red carpet, motorcade, motorcycle and police escort. Oquist also enjoyed receptions at the Washington, D.C. and Buffalo airports, where veterans were greeted with cheers, bagpipes, applause and hugs. He said the memorial tour was very good and the guide was waiting for the veterans bound hand and foot.

“It’s been a great trip,” Oquist said. “There’s not one thing in particular that stands out to me, because they’ve all done it. It was a bit overwhelming. I recommend everyone who has been in the service, no matter where you were stationed or what branch, to go on this trip. It’s something you’ll always remember and something I’m still coming down from.

For more information about the Honor Flight, email the Fenton History Center’s Vets Finding Vets program at [email protected].