Thanking Our Heroes
"To me, 'thank-you' are the two most powerful words in the English language that you can say. Being a volunteer for Honor Flight Chicago gives me the opportunity to thank these heroes," said Dan Harrington. The Arlington Heights resident who is the executive director at Sedgebrook senior living, has worked as a volunteer for Honor Flight Chicago for more than 10 years. Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that takes American veterans to Washington DC to visit the memorials that honor their service.
Dan, who has worked in senior housing for more than 18 years said that when Honor Flight launched 12 years ago, he encountered residents in his retirement community who had participated. "They came home saying how wonderful and how moving the experience had been. I encouraged every veteran to go, knowing that it would be a great trip for them," he said. "I remember thinking at the time that I needed to back up what I was talking about. So, one day, I filled out an application to volunteer for Honor Flight. The person who interviewed me said, 'I know you! You're the senior living guy who sends dozens of people on the Flight.'"
Initially as a volunteer, Dan went to Midway Airport at 3 a.m. on the day of an event. He would meet and greet the heroes who would begin arriving s at 4 a.m. When they boarded their flight at 6:30, Dan went in to work for the rest of the day.
In 2015, Dan said, "The CEO of Honor Flight came up to me and said, 'you're that senior living guy. You've been here in the morning for 40 flights. I want you to fill a plane with World War II veterans.' At the time, she was trying to get the last group of WWII vets before Honor Flight was opened up to Korean War vets. We had 38 heroes sign up including eight women which was a record at the time. I went as a guardian." Dan continues to volunteer as a guardian, traveling to D.C. between April-October. July will mark his 16th trip. Once arriving in D.C., Harrington serves as a bus captain, overseeing 20-22 heroes, "to make sure they have an amazing day visiting their memorials."
Dan's most recent experience was especially moving for several reasons. For his first time, Dan was able to accompany a resident of Sedgebrook. Jerry Handler, a Korean War veteran who lives at Sedgebrook went on the trip. "It was a once in a lifetime experience, and I was very glad that Dan was there. He really did a great job" said Jerry.
Dan said he was particularly happy when he greeted Jerry at the airport. "I met him at 3:30 in the morning. One of our drivers brought him, and I was proud to see the Sedgebrook sedan pull up."
The trip was also especially significant in that it was the first time that Vietnam era veterans participated in Honor Flight. One of the veterans was a two-time Purple Heart recipient. "As we headed down the ramp at the Vietnam Memorial, I heard him tearing up. I handed him a handkerchief and he just kept looking at the wall and apologizing for being so emotional. When we started back up the ramp, he saw his former neighbor's name and he got emotional saying, 'I feel bricks coming off my shoulders. I feel like I'm having a religious experience. I feel bricks coming off. I haven't felt this good in years,'" Dan recalled. "He had closure right in front of me. This was one of the most powerful things I've experienced in my life."
While Dan has experienced how powerful the Honor Flight experience can be, so too has he ensured that is the case for the many veterans he accompanies. "When you look at the testimonials the veterans give in the days following their trip to our nation's capital, it's not the memorials and places we visit that they mention the most. It's the people, it's the volunteers that make the most lasting impressions. Dan Harrington is one of those dedicated volunteers who brings his passion for service with him wherever he goes," said John Ptak, president of Honor Flight Chicago. "Dan has become a key member of our leadership team at Honor Flight Chicago and we are very fortunate to have someone with his energy, sense of humor, and overall positive attitude helping achieve our mission. It has been my pleasure to get to know Dan over the years and I am confident that anytime Dan is with us, that we will 'crush it' that day and give our senior war veterans the safest and most enjoyable experience possible. We are thankful to Dan for his service to our heroes."
SEDGEBROOK
Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living, and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.