Submitted by Lutheran Hillside Village
Lutheran Hillside Village, A Lutheran Senior Services Life Plan Community in Peoria, IL, recently participated in a truly special event—the Greater Peoria Honor Flight. With the dedicated effort of Tom Myers, Director of Nursing, and a few other team members, nine veteran residents had the incredible opportunity to fly to Washington D.C. and visit several monuments and memorial sites.
Tom, who has been serving as the Head of Medical for the Greater Peoria Honor Flight for years, worked tirelessly to secure tickets for the veteran residents, ensuring they could participate in this unforgettable journey. The group met at 4am at the community for a celebration and were escorted by five squad cards to the airport.
Throughout their trip they visited significant historical landmarks, honoring their service and the service of their fellow comrades. Highlights of the trip included visiting Arlington National Cemetery to witness the changing of the guard, as well as the World War II monuments and several memorials across D.C.
“The residents loved it,” said Tom. “Many of them were able to see the memorials where their friends from service are honored.”
On the flight back home, all veterans had a mail call where they received cards and letters from their friends and family thanking them for their service.
The honor flight had such a positive impact on the residents that they now plan to meet monthly to talk about the flight and share their experiences from serving.
“We are immensely proud of our veterans and are grateful for their service. A heartfelt thank you to Tom Myers for his dedication and to the Greater Peoria Honor Flight for making this experience possible,” said Shelly Heiden, Lutheran Hillside Village Executive Director.
To learn more about Lutheran Hillside Village, call 309.326.5925 to schedule a tour!
