Mission 22 Honor Flight for Sarasota & Manatee County WWII Veterans

Honor Flight ‘Mission 22’: Objective: Fly 80 Sarasota and Manatee County World War II Veterans to Washington, DC to Tour War Memorials Box 55661, St.

Local Sarasota residents are working with Honor Flight® of West Central Florida (HFWCF) to raise donations to finance ‘Mission 22’ – An all expense-paid day for 80 World War II Veterans in our area to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C on June 23, 2015. With 300+ local World War II Veterans averaging 91 years of age on the Honor Flight waiting list, time is of the essence to ensure the her

oes whose sacrifice gave us a lifetime of freedom get to enjoy a day dedicated to honoring them. World War II truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse and free society. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to flyingVeterans to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials built to honor their service to the nation. Top priority is given to World War II survivors, along with other Veterans who may be terminally ill. A film on Honor Flight detailing the impact and urgency of these flights will be shown early this summer. More information on the film is viewable online: http://www.honorflightthemovie.com/

To donate:

Online: Honor Flight West Central Florida website: http://www.honorflightwcf.org/donate-today.html Mail:Check to Honor Flight of West Central Florida, P.O. Petersburg, FL 33732. Specify ‘Mission 22’ in your donation or via email to [email protected].

“I am honored to have the opportunity to help recognize and honor our local World War II Veterans by working to help make Mission 22 a reality,” said Melissa Fox-Howard, one of the local organizers leading the Honor Flight Mission 22 effort. “There is a very real sense of urgency here – with over 640 World War II-era Veterans passing away every day, we need to make Mission 22 happen now, as well as future Honor Flights for Veterans in our area.” Melissa is working with local volunteers Britt Miner, Mimi Carlin, and Rich Schineller to get Mission 22 in the air. Each Honor Flight Veteran is accompanied by a volunteer “guardian” assigned to them. Local WWII Veteran Bob Olweiler was a Navy Corpsman on Iwo Jima and Saipan and participated in a 2014 Honor Flight mission. While on his way to see the memorials with his guardian Britt Riner, he reflected to her, “You spending this day with me is like when I, as a 14-year-old Life Scout spent the day with Civil War Veterans at the 75th Gettysburg Reunion in 1938.” Riner remembers her amazement when she realized the WWII Veteran’s hand she shook had also shaken the hands of Civil War Veterans. Honor Flights are always completely free of charge to Veterans, but the program costs approximately $400 per Veteran and includes a same-day round-trip flight to Washington, D.C., tour bus, three meals, and an official uniform. Guardians pay their own way (also $400 including the same items), but as Riner recounts from her two missions, “It’s a priceless trip of a lifetime, for the Veteran and the volunteer. I can ‘sacrifice’ $400 when they have sacrificed so much more.” She added, “My grandfather passed away before the WWII memorial in Washington was completed, so in honor of him, I take other people’s grandfathers.”

These men and women came home from war, threw their bags in the closet, and went back to work with little welcome home or gratitude for their service, let alone time to process and reflect on the lives of those who didn’t return home. It’s time we showed them the honor they’ve deserved for the last 70 years. Help Honor Flight Mission 22 do just that! Do you know of a WWII Veteran who would like to see his/her memorials? Would you like to help send Veterans to Washington, DC? Would you like to volunteer as a guardian and spend a day with a hero in Washington, DC? Any amount helps! Donations may be made through the Honor Flight West Central Florida website (hyperlinkhttp://www.honorflightwcf.org/donate-today.html) or by mailed check to Honor Flight of West Central Florida, P.O. Please make sure to specify ‘Mission 22’ in your donation or via email to [email protected]. To nominate a Veteran for Honor Flight and for additional information on local Honor Flight Mission 22 fundraisers or ways to help, please contact Britt Riner, 703-342-9322 or [email protected] or Melissa Fox-Howard, 941 587-8166 or [email protected]. HFWCF was established in late 2010 as an official Regional Hub of the National Honor Flight Network and has flown 1,415 Veterans to D.C. to see their Memorials and Honored 27 Veterans at home who are unable to travel. Media Contact:

Rich Schineller

941.780.8100

[email protected]

10/10/2019

Join us at 1 PM Saturday, October 12th at Der Dutchman to support former Amish farmer Ivan Stoltzfus as he finishes his 12 mph trip across America on a vintage 1948 John Deere tractor to raise awareness for Operation Second Chance.
His final leg of the 5 ½ month, 5500+ mile journey concludes this Saturday and we'd like you there to show your support of OSC, and to honor the sacrifices Ivan has made for the OSC cause. Please help us spread the word, and feel free to bring friends and family. There will be lots of finger food, and a discounted lunch option if you want to get there early to eat. Thanks to Der Dutchman Sarasota at 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34232, USA
https://tockify.com/operation.second.chance/detail/628/1570897800000
Ben Knisely Andrew Lourake Rich Schineller

Todd J. Reuter, DMD, MD, PA - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

11/03/2015

Join us to welcome back Dr. David Thompson back from his service in Afghanistan this Thursday, November 5th from 5 – 8 PM at the new Sarasota Oral and Implant Surgery center at 2130 South Tamiami Trail.

Doctors Todd Reuter and David Thompson invite you to join them and their staff on Thursday, November 5th from 5 to 8 PM to officially welcome Dr. Thompson back to Sarasota from his recent service as a Lieutenant Colonel with the US Army in Afghanistan caring for our troops and for the opening of their new Sarasota Oral and Implant Surgery Center. Dr. Thompson answered the call to serve his country in 2011.

The Sarasota Oral and Implant Surgery Center (http://sarasotaoms.com) is located at 2130 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239. It was founded in 1960 as the first Oral Surgery practice south of Tampa by Dr. Robert Thompson (David’s father) and maintains a reputation for delivering excellent and ethical care.

Because Dr. Reuter and Dr. Thompson share the same philosophy in patient care, Dr. Thompson chose Dr. Reuter to take over the care of his patients so he could serve our country.

Dr. David A. Thompson, DMD is a graduate of Sarasota High School and received his B.A. Degree from the University of South Florida. He attended the University of Florida College of Dentistry and also completed a General Practice Residency Program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Thompson then received his oral and maxillofacial surgery and Anesthesia training at the University of Florida Shands Jacksonville.

Dr. Todd J. Reuter returned to Sarasota (his hometown) and at the invitation of Dr. Thompson joined the practice in 2010, bringing unique training in advanced bone grafting, reconstruction, and dental implants as well as offering full scope oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Reuter introduced state of the art technology into the practice to offer more precise treatment planning and more minimally invasive surgical options.

Dr. Todd J. Reuter is graduate of Sarasota High School, the University of Florida for his undergraduate and graduate studies with both Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees. Todd serves as the Section Chief of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and is a member of the Sarasota Cleft Lip and Palate Team.

Please join us on November 5th from 5 – 8 PM to welcome David back and to meet David and Todd at the new Sarasota Oral and Implant Surgery center at 2130 South Tamiami Trail (West side of 41 between Datura and Clematis Streets. The celebration is open to the public.

Todd J. Reuter, DMD, MD, PA - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Todd J. Reuter Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has a long tradition of providing exceptional oral and maxillofacial surgery care to Southwest Florida. Todd J. Reuter Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specializes in Bone Grafting, Cleft Lip and Palate, Dental Extractions, Dental Implants, Facial Trauma,…

'Strike' Soldier graduates Air Assault School despite amputation

10/09/2015

This Saturday, October 10th at 11:45 AM, Sgt. First Class Gregory Robinson and family arrive in Sarasota for a week of R & R. Sgt. Robinson lost his leg on his third tour in Afghanistan. He spent a year at Walter Reed, was fitted with a prosthesis and proceeded to fight to remain an active duty soldier. He then completed Air Assault school, the first soldier with a prosthesis ever to earn that achievement, and proceeded on to another tour in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne.

When Colonel Knisely of Operation Second Chance asked him what he’d really like to do, he said he’d really like to take his family to see a beach.

We’re proud to have them here and are planning to welcome them on their arrival this Saturday. Join us if you can at 11:45 Saturday October 10th, 2015 at Dolphin Aviation, 8191 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34243.

If you can’t make it, please roll out that Sarasota red carpet for the Robinson’s if you see them.

Props to Sarasota Elks 2495 for lodging Greg Robinson and his family on beautiful Longboat Key, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Matt Buchanan and Sarasota Ford for ground support, Ron Ciaravella, Dolphin Aviation and the Veteran’s Airlift Command for air support, Rami Fouad Nehme and The Blasé Café & Martini Bar & 3.14 Pi craft beer & spirits for a full day of Meals, Ready to Eat.

'Strike' Soldier graduates Air Assault School despite amputation Sgt. 1st Class Greg Robinson, a 34-year old combat engineer assigned to the Company A, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), pinned on his Air Assault badge during a graduation ceremony held at the Sabalauski Air Assault School, April 2…

07/02/2015

Spirit of America 2015 | Observer Media Group

Flight Honors Sarasota Veterans with Trip to WWII Memorial -

06/11/2015

Mission 22 Honor Flight for Sarasota & Manatee County WWII Veterans is thankful to the Luhrsen Law Group for their generous donation to send two WWII veterans to see their memorials on Mission 22 and to personally accompany these men as their fellow service members! Read on to learn more about the Luhrsen Law Group's commitment to military service and honoring veterans. CC Julie Schrank Luhrsen

Flight Honors Sarasota Veterans with Trip to WWII Memorial - 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Germany and Japan and the end of World War II. The anniversary represents what may be the last opportunity for communities to express gratitude to the men and women who fought for our freedom in the war. As the number of surviving veterans from the “g…

Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer | Bradenton Fl | Luhrsen Law

05/18/2015

A big 'Mission 22' THANK YOU to the Luhrsen Law Group for sponsoring two Veterans as well as firm principals Julie and Jeff Luhrsen (Veterans themselves) as Mission 22 Guardians. The Luhrsen Law Group is a tight-knit, family-based team of attorneys and support staff committed to serving the community with compassionate care and understanding, the highest ethical standards, and unwavering dedication to treating their clients with respect and dignity.

Julie and Jeff Luhrsen’s commitment to honor and duty took root in their respective military service. Jeff served for over five years in the United Stated Marine Corps. After both Jeff and Julie completed law school, they earned their stripes as lawyers by serving as Army JAG officers—Jeff for four years and Julie for eight. When they heard about the opportunity to support Honor Flight “Mission 22,” getting to yes was quick and easy! Helping some of our area’s Greatest Generation visit their memorials in Washington, DC and honoring these Veterans’ personal histories is a natural extension of the Luhrsen Law Group’s commitment to our community.
Thank you again, Julie and Jeff - and Shakira!
http://www.luhrsen.com/

Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer | Bradenton Fl | Luhrsen Law The Personal Injury Attorneys at the Luhrsen Law Group have represented clients throughout Sarasota & Bradenton, FL in wide variety of motor vehicle accident and personal injury claims.

05/07/2015

A HUGE thank you to Steven White for his generous donation of $2,500.00 today!!!!!!!

04/22/2015

Honor Flight Mission 22 is thankful to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3233 for allowing us to speak to their group yesterday about our efforts to fly 80 Sarasota/Manatee County WWII veterans to see their memorials in Washington, DC. They have a few WWII vet members we tried to convince to fly with us on June 23!

While there, I met Bob. Bob went on an Honor Flight and said it was one of the best days of his life. Bob is a veteran who served in WWII, Korea AND Vietnam. Not only did he survive three wars -- he survived Pearl Harbor Day. He's been a member of this VFW post for 30 years. How must he must feel when he comes to VFW meetings and beholds this bold sign reminding him of TWO days of infamy his life has witnessed? December 7, 1941 AND September 11, 2001. On a lighter note, Bob shared happy remembrances with me. He chuckled, thanking the Navy for his HS diploma (he joined the service after dropping out of school) and his college degree. Another surprise of the evening -- we are both Duke alumni!

04/22/2015

Honor Flight Mission 22 wants to thank the Sarasota chapter of the Vietnam Brotherhood - Alpha Company for sending FOUR guardians on our June 23 flight. These men flew helicopters and led infantry in Vietnam... now they will fly and lead their senior servicemen to their shared memorials.

Honor Flight takes WWII vets to D.C. - Veterans

04/15/2015

A great big thank you to the Herald-Tribune Media Group for the moving front-page article juxtaposing Bob Olweiler's experience meeting Civil War Veterans as a young scout with Sarasota Military Academy cadets learning from WWII Veterans on the upcoming Mission 22 Honor Flight for Sarasota & Manatee County WWII Veterans

Honor Flight takes WWII vets to D.C. - Veterans Nonprofit group takes aging war veterans to the World War II memorial. ... Read more »