A handful of Greene County veterans recently made a trip to Washington, D.C. through a non-profit organization.

The Brushy Creek Honor Flight happened on May 10th with one World War II veteran and 112 Vietnam veterans, including Les Fister. The Greene County native served in the US Army from 1965-67 and he got to see several monuments, including Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, WWII, Iwo Jima, and the Air Force monuments, along with witnessing the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Fister describes the most powerful moment he experienced while visiting one of the monuments.

“We went to the Vietnam Memorial and I found the name of my classmate that’s never come home. But I would say that’s the highlight of my day.”

Fister says he was hesitant about going because he served stateside during his time in the military, but decided to go after a conversation he had with previous participants. Following the trip, Fister believes all veterans need to have this once in a lifetime experience.

“It’s awesome. Anybody that ever has the opportunity to take an Honor Flight needs to do. Go see their local veterans representative. We’ve got a really good here in (Greene County Veterans Affairs Director) Mike Bierl. Mike’s the top of the chart for me. He just does everything he can for veterans.”   

Fister adds the trips are free because of the sponsorship of Friends of the Troops from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The other Greene County area veterans that joined Fister were Jack Lint, Hubert Vanatter and Richard “Dick” Davis.