Marion County is home to thousands of veterans. For veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam who cannot travel to Washington, D.C., local volunteers led by Margie Saull are working to honor them in a moving ceremony at Tri-Rivers Career Center at 2222 Marion-Mt. Gilead Rd., Marion, on June 8 at 2 p.m.
Honor Flight at Home
Saull, a retired teacher from Marion City Schools, started Marion’s Honor Flight at Home ceremony after attending one in Florida with her father, Charles Sheets, a veteran of World War II.
“I had heard about many veterans going to Washington, D.C. on honor flights. My dad was not able to fly because he had some health issues affecting his ears,” Saull said. “We were in Florida and we took him to an Honor Flight at Home event. I thought, ‘What an incredible opportunity for the veterans who are unable to travel!’”
First Ohio Honor Flight at Home Planned
Saull and her family returned home. She spent a year working with Honor Flight Columbus to plan this event. The first one was held in August of 2018.
“Thirty-two veterans were honored. The auditorium was packed!” Saull recalls. Her father, Charles Sheets, was among those first veterans to participate. He died in 2019.
“I’m glad he got to be honored. That’s what we need to do – honor veterans before it’s too late,” Saull said.
So far, about 100 veterans have been honored, which is the equivalent of a planeload of veterans on an honor flight.
Eligible Veterans and Application
The Honor Flight at Home Marion event is open to all Ohio veterans aged 65 and older who have served on active duty from 1941 to 1975. Veterans may not have participated on an honor flight previously and may not be able to travel to Washington, D.C.
Veterans must fill out an application by May 25. The application is below. Veterans and their families can also receive it by emailing her at saullgw4@yahoo.com.
2024 Honor Flight at Home Flyer
Each veteran receives a picture with the American flag. The ceremony includes an honor guard, music and giveaways. Families and the public are also invited to take part.
Veterans Find Ceremony Meaningful
For some veterans who were not welcomed home warmly, this ceremony can be especially meaningful.
“We had a Vietnam veteran in 2019 who wasn’t sure he wanted to come. I said we’d be glad to honor you. Two weeks later, I received a note. He wrote to say all those feelings that had been built up inside of him all those years were totally erased in one afternoon. That makes the program rewarding and worthwhile,” Saull said.
Saull recalls going to a memory care unit to see a veteran who had recently participated in the Honor Flight At Home event.
“Somehow, we had missed taking this veteran’s picture at the event. We went to his memory care unit to take his photo with the flag. He waved and recognized me. He had received a patriotic quilt which he proudly showed us was now on his bed,” Saull said.
Marion Community Comes Together to Honor Vets
Margie’s husband, retired principal and teacher Fred Saull, also works to coordinate the event. Dozens of volunteers and donors work to make this day memorable from the moment veterans check in at 1 p.m.
“We have a motorcycle group who will help escort veterans in. We have Explorers to help park cars. On the day of the event, we have at least 50 people who are helping. There is great support from the community,” Saull said.
In addition, local school children are writing letters to thank each veteran for their service to read after the ceremony.
The Marion County Historical Society also supports this event by providing presidential re-enactors to make the day special.
“We are the home of the free because of the brave,” Saull said.
Additional Veterans Stories
Veterans Services Helps Local Military Families | MarionMade
Banner Project honors veterans from Marion | MarionMade
Memorial to Marion Soldiers, Sailors and Public Servants at Marion Cemetery | MarionMade
Veterans’ Memorial Park | MarionMade
Highlighting Marion’s Legacy of Black Leadership | MarionMade
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