We call it Halos and Heroes. It’s an annual event held in a hangar that houses a breathtaking array of vintage aircraft and honors the sacrifices of great men and women who have nobly served their country. The “Halos” are volunteer Angel Flight pilots who transport patients in their own planes to specialized treatment and assume all the associated costs.  The “Heroes” are veterans–especially wounded warriors and their  families–who have paid a heavy price for the freedoms we enjoy. These pilots and warriors, invited guests and staff members gathered on October 6 at the Virginia Beach Airport and Military Aviation Museum for an unforgettable evening as described through the images and words of this album.

In the eyes of those who know of her fame, eight-year-old Lucca is not just a dog, but a brave soldier. Lucca, a Belgian Malinois, is a military working dog who has served in three deployments– two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. During her career in the military, she saved hundreds of lives by sniffing out over 40 improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Lucca’s breed, Belgian Malinois, is one used often as working dogs for police units and the military because of its strong senses and quick feet. Although they do require consistent obedience training, this breed’s energy levels are among the highest of all breeds, and their life span is 12-14 years of age. With these features, it is no wonder why Lucca has been such a wonderful military service dog.

Sadly, while on a mission in Afghanistan, the dog was injured by an IED, which led to the amputation of her left front leg and treatment of several other injuries. Because of this, she’s been medically retired and traveled home to Finland to be reunited with her first trainer, Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Willingham. “We are adopting her and we are looking forward to welcoming her into our family. We plan to give her many years of happiness and lots of love in her retirement years!” said Lucca’s family.

Air Compassion for Veterans stepped in and offered to help by teaming up with American Airlines to provide air transportation for Lucca.  On July 5, she was flown home safely. Thanks to ACV and American Airlines, Lucca is now beginning her new life as a civilian. She is a brave warrior and a true hero to all who surround her.

To see more pictures of this remarkable animal, visit the following link, provided by the Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/gunnery-sergeant-lucca-action?slide=blank-3#slide=49600781

Candice is a rising Junior at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia. She is majoring in communications with a concentration in film, and she also enjoys writing. During her internship, Candice hopes to gain more writing and professional experience. In return, she hopes to make a positive contribution to Air Compassion for Veterans.

Many are the paths that bring healing to our wounded veterans, from surgery to sports to spiritual care.  Another that is a “fur-st” for ACV is the feline. The company of two beloved cats is the best medicine for Andy, a brave soldier who was nearly blown up in Afghanistan several weeks ago and who is recovering in Alaska with his wife and his pets, Chloe and Stella.

The request came to Robin Cron, our mission coordinator, from Springfield, Virginia, on Monday, June 18. It was an email from Jan, the friend and co-worker of Andy’s mother-in-law. She explained that Andy was seriously injured by an IED blast while on foot patrol. His wife, Sam, “got a phone call early on May 6—he actually called from triage,” Jan wrote in her email note. “He was in shock, so not able to tell her much other than the fact that nothing was missing: ‘I have all my body parts.’”

After being treated in Landstuhl, Germany, he was sent to Washington State and then to Alaska, where his unit is based. Sam traveled to be there by his side. She had been living in Springfield with her parents and Chloe and Stella, and attending college while Andy was deployed overseas. The kitties were wedding presents to the couple when they married in 2009.

“He desperately wants his two cats that are in Springfield,” Jan’s email continued. “So much so that they are trying to figure out a way for him to get a four-day pass so they can fly back to get the cats. He talks to the cats in his sleep. Emotionally, they would probably help with his recovery. Would this be the type of situation your organization could help with?”

After that, Robin and Toni Russell (with American Airlines) went to work to try and arrange travel for Chloe and Stella to Anchorage. It was a complicated task due to routing, timing and weather (heat) issues. “On Tuesday it wasn’t going to happen with American,” Robin said. “But by Tuesday afternoon, it was going to happen” due to many parties joining together to help a wounded warrior get his “kids.”

Stella and Chloe left Reagan National Airport, escorted by USO representative Katie Whitlow who had flown in from North Carolina to oversee handling of the animals, crated in the belly of the jet and carefully monitored due to the intense heat. On arrival in Dallas, American Airlines employee Danny Santiago arranged for the cats to be the first taken off the plane and put in a quiet, air-conditioned area. Toni Russell went down to the ramp as the loading was taking place and wrote in an email, “They looked very relaxed and comfortable. Very princess-like.”

Jackie Baer sent an email to ACV, too, saying, “I have been crying off and on all day. I am so glad you understand that these animals are our family—and don’t think I am a crazy old lady! Danny told me that when Sam has the cats safely in her possession, I am to call him no matter what time, even in the middle of the night, because he wants to know ‘our precious cargo arrived safely.’”

As you can see from the picture, Andy is purr-fectly happy to be in the company of Stella (Chloe isn’t in this one). Winston Churchill’s quote, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” could as easily be applied to the two felines who traveled four thousand miles to be there for their greatest hero.

In this short video, Brigadier General Steve Ritichie, U.S. Air Force, Ret., praises American Airlines’ employees for serving wounded warriors, Gold Star families and other veterans through what is called the Fuel Smart program. By implementing fuel-saving strategies, American Airlines’ workers are able to save millions of dollars annually, a percentage of which comes to us for the purpose of booking  flights for military members and families in need of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and other services.  Through the Fuel Smart campaign, nearly 4,000 veterans have received these life-changing flights. Thank you, American Airlines.

Earlier this year, Air Compassion for Veterans® assisted The Greatest Generations Foundation with their program taking World War II Veterans and ROTC students from Ohio State University back to the Pacific Theatre of Operations. This is a slide show of their experience.

(Special thanks to Carbon Leaf, and their beautiful song “The War Was in Color”)

Here’s a story to make you smile.  It began with a request from an employee with Veterans at the Haven, an assistance program of the VA in West Los Angeles. This is what she wrote: “Kevin came to us. He was homeless, unemployed, and needed to stabilize and prepare to return to work. We were able to put him through a residential program, and when he was ready, he enrolled in our Back to Work program. Through Vets First at a local Worksource, he was able to attend a six-week class in wind turbine technology and received multiple certifications. He is now ready to return to work.

“After interviewing with some companies, he was hired by Patterson UTI Drilling in Midland, Texas. They will pay for his housing when he arrives, but he is lacking any funds to get him there. Unfortunately, we do not have the funding to cover his transportation either. They want him to begin working on May 6. Is there any way you can help? I would love to see him working at something that will actually be a career, and it will help him to prevent another homeless episode.”

ACV was only too happy to provide Kevin with an airline ticket through our good partner, American Airlines. We appreciate the devoted efforts of those who work for Veterans at the Haven and the Back to Work program. I marvel to see the many human hands that came together to help one man find a new beginning.  I know Whose hand was behind it all.

Ranging in age from 7 to 16, they came from five states to display their talent onstage at the Naval Heritage Center of the U.S. Navy Memorial. It’s an annual event put on by a wonderful organization called Our Military Kids to recognize these five stars, who were “selected for their service to their families and communities during the deployment of their military parent, and their willingness to share their talent,” according to Executive Director Linda Davidson.

All of us in the audience (made up of military brass,  family members,  donors, and veteran support organizations) were dazzled by dances and wowed by musical performances including violin, flute and piano. As ACV representatives, Robin and I felt privileged to have contributed to such an inspiring afternoon by providing free flights for two of the youngsters.

Our Military Kids, in partnership with the Army National Guard and through charitable contributions from various sources, awards grants to help military children cope effectively during the absence of a parent by pursuing enriching activities. Some choose athletics:  ice skating, martial arts, and swimming, for example. Others are drawn to the arts, such as dance and music. Sometimes grant money is used to beef up academic achievement through tutoring.

What impressed me even more than the amazing talent of the kids on the stage was their heart and grit. The program for “Our Military Kids’ Star Power” celebration profiled each child.

Seven-year-old Anya Alexis Wilkie, from Brighton, Illinois, for example, made a commitment to practice her violin every day of her father’s deployment to Kuwait. This child prodigy played a beautiful classical piece for the audience. Besides violin, she plays flute and piano, and performs several times a month at a local nursing home. She’s also a volunteer violinist at her local symphony and chamber orchestra. Anya has skipped two grades, reads at post-high school level and studies chemistry, biology, physics, Latin, Greek and Spanish.

Ten-year-old Jonathan Harrell, of Charleston, West Virginia, played an impressively complex version of “Linus and Lucy,” the Charlie Brown theme song.  He uses his grant money to devote himself to piano lessons and the study of music theory. His father is serving in Afghanistan with the Army National Guard. At his school Jonathan works as an in-class tutor, serves as a safety patrol, collects donations for a local animal shelter and received the highest honor as a Cub Scout.

Decorda Owens, 13, from Starkville, Mississippi, did a very cool hip-hop routine wearing camo BDUs and dedicating the performance to his father, who is deployed in Afghanistan. His grant has gone toward hip-hop dance lessons. He practices his moves continually, even while doing household chores, and hopes someday to attend the Mississippi School of the Arts. In addition, Decorda “volunteers at his church and fills his father’s shoes as man of the house, helping his mother take care of his three younger sisters, handling all the yard work, and caring for the American flag, which is flown in his father’s honor.”

Baleigh Wheeler is 15 and gave a dance performance that creatively interpreted her feelings of honor for her father and his military service. Baleigh, who lives in Greenville, Virginia, used her grant to further develop as an artist during her dad’s deployment to Afghanistan. She takes 13 dance lessons every week and adds intensive workshops on weekends. During the summer, she serves as a counselor at a church camp. She also finds time to hold fundraisers for the American Heart Association. She herself suffered from a congenital heart defect that has since been cured.

Sydney Schmidt, 15, fluted a splendid tune from the Lion King for her performance at yesterday’s event. She lives in Hayfield, Minnesota, and used her grant from Our Military Kids to travel with her high school band to Disney World during her father’s deployment to Kuwait. The trip was a big deal indeed as “her band was able to record a track from the Lion King and watch the Disney staffers incorporate it into the movie.” Besides band, Sydney is involved in many other activities, including serving as a student council representative, running with the cross country team, and working in the school’s theater program. She also volunteers at a nursing home and with Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she mentors an elementary school student. With the goal of studying medicine to become a surgeon, Sydney works hard to maintain a 4.0 GPA.

Linda Davidson voiced everyone’s admiration for these exceptional young people: “We are honored to recognize our littlest warriors for their heroism, character, courage, sacrifices, and continued resilience, and grateful to them for their enthusiasm to share the talent supported by the grant from Our Military Kids.”

Cpl. Hershel W. Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at Iwo Jima.

I just watched an extremely moving account on You Tube of Medal of Honor awardee, Hershel “Woody” Williams, who, with a flamethrower, destroyed eight pill boxes at Iwo Jima during a terrifying five-hour ordeal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stl_YhYXyps

On March 10, ACV through its partner American Airlines is flying 12 Iwo Jima veterans to the Pacific islands, including Iwo Jima, for a Reunion of Honor, sponsored by the Greatest Generations Foundation. The average age of the veterans is 89.

According to a January 12 news release, “the men will return for the first time to these islands in the Pacific to commemorate the battles that claimed the lives of their comrades.

“Accompanying the veterans are military history students from the Ohio State University who will document and preserve the veterans’ stories of heroism and sacrifice. ‘The knowledge that the veterans possess is invaluable, and I believe that [this program] will allow the students to engage with the battlefields and learn about WWII in ways that no other source could provide,’ said OSU student Nick Brill.”

Twelve-thousand Americans lost their lives in those deadly battles in the Pacific. We wish these heroic survivors Godspeed on their historic trip to the site where our flag was raised to turn the tides of war.

President Bush commended Spc. Hardin for his brave service. Left is Kevin's father, Charles.

The war came close last week. We learned Kevin Hardin had died. It was a sorrowful day at Air Compassion for Veterans, for the former Army medic and our friend had fought hard to recover from combat wounds following two years of hospitalization at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. We provided many flights for his family so they could leave their home in Florida to be at Kevin’s bedside. He went through 32 surgeries and painful rehabilitation, then married the woman who’d cared for him during his recovery. He died on January 22 of war-related injuries. He was 25. He leaves behind his bride, Lillian; his parents, Charles and Terry, and three brothers, Kyle, Keith and Kenny.

In 2007 Spc. Hardin was on patrol in Samarra, Iraq, when his Humvee was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. The blast sent 12 pieces of shrapnel into his skull and took fingers from both hands and flesh from his arms. His many bone and skin grafts earned him the nickname “Patches.” He received a Purple Heart. When people would ask him if he had any regrets, he would say, “What is there to regret, if you’re doing it for your country? I would do it ten times over.”