Inaugural Central Savannah Honor Flight takes veterans to D.C.

WASHINGTON — The inaugural Central Savannah Honor Flight landed in the nation’s capital, bringing 33 veterans to see the monuments constructed in their honor.

Organizer Mike Jara said he was shocked to learn Central Savannah didn’t have an honor flight hub. From there, he got the wheels in motion, and nine months later, the first Central Savannah Honor Flight was wheels up.

“There were 20,000 eligible veterans to go on this flight in our area,” Jara said.

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One of those on board was veteran Greg Killalea.

“It means a lot of patriotism. And, uh, in this day, and time, it’s something we really need,” Killalea said.

Killalea said when he and his Vietnam-era brothers in service returned from war, the reception wasn’t a heroes’ welcome.

“There was no parades. There was no flags waving. There was nothing but you’re getting out and uh, see it. So there was nothing,” Killalea said.

The honor flight is a course correction of sorts for those who served.

“It’s a good acknowledgment that wasn’t totally not part of our lost or whatever,” Killalea said.

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For Jara, this first honor flight aims to solidify what he hopes will be a long tradition.

“It’s an honor and a privilege. It’s not work. I love doing this and I’ll do it for a long time,” Jara said.

People can donate to the CSRA Honor Flight to help continue the mission of sending local veterans to the nation’s capital. People can also volunteer and become a guardian.