Last week’s Soaring Valor Honor flight was a soaring success. Bishop Manogue had the honor of working with the Gary Sinise Foundation, to send 20 senior students to New Orleans, Louisiana to the National World War 2 museum, with 16 World War 2 veterans to accompany them on their honor flight. The purpose of an honor flight is to bring the nation’s veterans to important memorials that commemorate their service to show gratitude for their service. Throughout the trip, the veterans were greeted with celebrations and ceremonies honoring their service, a special ceremony was held at both airports and at the National World War 2 museum to ensure the veterans felt remembered. The students were asked to spend the majority of their time with their veteran learning their stories, and listening to the experiences that the veterans had. The foundation, in partnership with the WW2 museum, planned and put on various programs throughout the trip, this included everything from live music from the era to outdoor light shows about the war. The veterans and students also were paired up with a museum guide, who took the groups on tours of the museum focusing on the area where the veterans served. A student who attended this trip says “I had the most amazing experience on the trip, I was so honored to get so close with someone who fought to protect our country, he was the most precious person I have ever met! I have already started telling everyone who will listen about his story!” Says Kate Garcia, a student who attended the trip. This experience was life-changing for both the veterans and the students alike, many students had already made other plans with their veterans after the trip commenced, and many students have already begun sharing their veterans’ stories and continuing to honor them as time went on.