Geneva teen raising funds for Honor Flight
When Meagan Holbrook was in Washington, D.C., this summer, she and a friend struck up a conversation with a veteran visiting the World War II memorial.
The man had been injured in the invasion of Normandy and then survived an attack on the ship carrying him back to England for treatment, they learned.
"He could tell that we appreciated his service," Holbrook said.
She wants to make sure other World War II veterans know that, and that they get the opportunity to visit the memorial dedicated to them.
Meagan, 17, is organizing a Nov. 11 chili supper from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Geneva High School to raise money for Honor Flight Chicago, a nonprofit group that flies veterans to Washington on free one-day jaunts to see the memorial. The group also arranges trips for Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, especially those who have terminal illnesses.
Tickets for the supper, $10, can be bought from Geneva High School student council members, and from 3 to 3:30 p.m. weekdays at the guidance office of the school, 416 McKinley Ave. For other arrangements, call (630) 208-5091.
Students from the school's cooking classes and club will prepare and serve the meal, including red, white and vegetarian chilis. The school's jazz band will perform. Leaders from Honor Flight's Chicago chapter will speak about the program.
Some World War II veterans who have taken Honor Flights will also attend.
Meagan, who is a senior, learned about the program from her father - his boss is on the board of directors of Honor Flight Chicago, and the Holbrook family had discussed making a donation.
She decided to ask school authorities for permission to do something bigger, and enlisted her classmates. Meagan serves on the executive board of the student council, which in the past has had fundraisers such as Eatin' for Heaton (for bills of the late Rachel Heaton, a girl who suffered from ongoing problems after treatment for liver cancer) and Hurricane Katrina victims.
While at the memorial this summer, she saw other veterans, brought there by Honor Flights or similar endeavors.
"It was just really cool to see them (flight charities) getting them (veterans) to see the memorial," she said.
Mary Pettinato, vice president and co-founder of Honor Flight Chicago, shares the sentiment.
"My dad is a World War II veteran... I asked 'If you were on your deathbed, what would you want to do before you die?"
"See my memorial," he replied.
But it was a difficult trip. Her dad uses oxygen, so she had to rent an oxygen concentrator for the flight. They found out, once they were on the plane, that the battery for it was dead, causing her dad to have trouble breathing.
Their visit to the memorial was nice, but lacking the buglers playing taps and the other pomp and circumstance they saw in groups organized by Honor Flight groups.
When Pettinato returned, she and two other women organized the Chicago chapter. It has made six flights in this, its initial year of operation, taking 58 to 65 veterans each time. The number varies in part due to the health of the veterans and if additional equipment like wheelchairs are required. There are nurses on board, and "guardians" to help veterans get around. It costs the organization about $500 per veteran, and it refuses to let veterans pay or even donate. That's why it loves what Meagan is doing.
"We're just tickled to have her," said Pettinato. "It's a grass roots that starts with the kids."
"This young lady is just a mover and a shaker ... we're going to fill the house."
Meagan hopes her fellow students will internalize what they've learned in history class, and thank a veteran.
"I don't think they understand fully the concept of a war at that (level of) escalation and sacrifice of service," she said. "I don't even think I can understand it.
"What they did for this country is remarkable."
If you go
What: Food for Flight chili fundraiser
When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11
Where: Geneva High School
Tickets: $10; call (630) 208-5091 to order
Benefits: Honor Flight Chicago. To arrange a veteran's trip with Honor Flight, call (773) 227-8387, or visit honorflightchicago.org.