These five veterans were made up of James Buffone of Jamestown, Richard Hausladen of Forestville, Thomas Hebeisen of Portland, Marvin Oquist of Jamestown and Herbert Wiltsie of Frewsburg. The flight took place on the weekend of Oct 12 and 13, and took the veterans on a trip to Washington DC to visit the monuments there.

Buffone served in the Army during the Vietnam War, serving three years in active duty and one year based in Vietnam. He said he decided to go on the trip because of hearing about it from others.

“Everyone who has been on it tells me don’t miss it,” Buffone said. “I applied and eventually got to go on one. It was a little overwhelming when we got back to Buffalo. The greeting there was amazing, because when we got back from Vietnam we were demonstrated against instead of welcomed.”

Hebeisen served from 1968 to 1972 during Vietnam as a part of the Blue Water Navy, with whom he sailed off the coast of Vietnam. He also served in the National Guard after that and is a member of the Brocton American Legion Post.

Submitted photo Pictured is James Buffone and his guardian Jimmy Buffone.

“I wanted to go on the trip to bond with other war veterans and see the nation’s capital and the memorials, which I hadn’t seen before,” Hebeisen said. “I enjoyed witnessing the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery and the Korean memorial struck home with me.”

For Hebeisen, while he did not know anyone personally who’s name was on the Korean memorial, he said he knew that 50 people from Chautauqua County served and died there.

Wiltsie served from 1960 to 1964, which he said was right at the end of the Korean War and the beginning of Vietnam. He added that his nephew got everything ready for him to go on the flight and surprised him with it, but that he was happy to go.

“It was very interesting and heartwarming,” Wiltsie said. “They were sad times, but there were also good times. I enjoyed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and I think those soldiers must be really dedicated to do that.”

Hausladen served from August 1965 to August 1967, doing his basic training in Fort Dixon, New Jersey, schooling in Maryland, and his tour of duty in Vietnam. He said his favorite part of the trip was visiting the Vietnam Wall, and that it was a “great honor” to go.

Submitted photo Richard Hausladen and his guardian Jeff Przybylak.

“I have never been to Washington, D.C. and my friends that have been on the trip told me about it,” Hausladen said. “I wanted to go for myself as well, and it was very well worth it.”

Hausladen added that members from Channel 7 were also on the trip with them, and will be airing a special about this Honor Flight on Veteran’s Day. Hausladen was interviewed for that as well, next to the Vietnam Wall.

Oquist served in the Army in Korea as part of the 38th parallel. He said he had heard about the trip and contacted the Fenton History Center’s Vets Finding Vets Program, which coordinates the trip for the local area, and was accepted. Additionally, Oquist said he found the whole thing to be remarkable and that he did not have a favorite part because he enjoyed the whole thing. He said the veterans, especially those from World War II were treated like important diplomats with things such as a red carpet, motorcade, motorcycle and police escort. Oquist also enjoyed the receptions at both the Washington DC and Buffalo airports, where veterans were greeted with cheers, bagpipes, applause and hugs. He said the memorial tour was very good and that the guide waited on the veterans hand and foot.

“It was an excellent trip,” Oquist said. “There is not one particular thing that stands out to me, because they all did. It was a bit overwhelming. I recommend everyone who has been in the service, no matter where you were stationed or what branch to go on this trip. It’s something you will always remember, and something I am still coming down from.”

For more information on going on the Honor Flight, email the Fenton History Center’s Vets Finding Vets Program at veterans@fentonhistorycenter.org.

Submitted photo Tom Hebeisen and his guardian Crystal Beeghley.

Submitted photo Herbert Wilstie and his guardian Randy Wiltsie.

Submitted photo Marvin Oquist and his guardian Dan Garrigan.