Marc Rogers / Journal

Recent Honor Flight guest Jim McLean, in red shirt, surrounded by all the EMS personal involved in the event to welcome Jim home to Kenney following his trip to Washington D.C.  Junior firefighters also joined the event.

KENNEY — On the evening of Tuesday, June 20, there was another veteran Honor Flight from the area to Washington D. C.  These flights are to honor veterans by taking them to the various war memorials and other sights in Washington to thank them for their service.  

Most of these veterans would never be able to see these sights on their own.  Each participant has a “guardian” with them at all times during the flight and tour.  These flights began serving World War I veterans and now are mostly filled with Vietnam veterans with a few World War II vets included.

 This past flight carried DeWitt County veteran Jim McLean from Kenney.  Jim was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam Conflict.  Like many from this time, they were shunned when arriving back home as the conflict was highly controversial at the time.  

One of the thoughts Jim expressed was the overwhelming reception he was given all during his day.  And, of course, the welcome home he received at the Kenney Fire Department with people from Kenney, Chestnut and Clinton on hand.  

The Kenney Department set-up a reception area in the west bay with an antique Tunbridge Fire Protection District fire truck and the local honor guard had lined the main street with American flags plus displayed the honor guard flags by the antique fire truck.  

Jim was also greeted by several previous Honor Flight participants from DeWitt County and many veterans from the area.  And there were also cookies, coffee and soft drinks furnished by the fire department.