What began as a single mission to honor WWII veterans by bringing them to see their memorial in 2005 has now honored more than 300,000 veterans in over 129 hubs nationwide. Central Valley Honor Flight lifted off Sept. 16-18 for the 29th flight with 67 Korean and Vietnam war veterans on board. Their journey took them on a private capital tour along with visiting the memorials that both honor their military branches and their service. Participation in the Honor Flight allows each veteran alongside their guardian, to remember the fallen, share their stories and for many, the first time they feel valued and honored for their service. This series highlights many of the unforgettable stories from Central Valley Honor Flight 29 as Fresno Christian Schools aims to raise awareness and funds for this organization during our 39th Annual Homecoming.
Jim Cole, a Vietnam War veteran, served from 1961-1964 with the 22nd Air Refueling Wing. Cole worked as an Assistant crew chief on one of the Air Force’s most iconic planes, the KC-135 Refueler planes. Stationed in Guam, his command was responsible for refueling the SR-71 Blackbird bomber planes that were hidden to the publics as the first attempt at stealth design while the Cold War heated up.
As an Assistant Crew Chief, Cole was in charge of maintaining the planes, making sure they were functioning, doing inspections and leading repairs when the planes came back. His position usually kept him grounded at the bases, but Cole was one of a select few who flew with their planes. Due to his important position during the Vietnam and Cold Wars, Cole got the chance to visit his memorials through the Honor Flight program.
Cole flew with the 29th Central Valley Honor Flight after being invited by one of his friends during a bowling game. Throughout the trip, the veterans were filled with gratitude as they were honored for their actions in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. When the Veterans had originally come home to the United States, they were not welcomed or appreciated; this flight, along with other Honor Flights, offered the “welcome home” they hadn’t previously received.
When Cole saw the Air Force Memorial in Washington, he was filled with joy. The memorial was under construction during the Honor Flight, but it was still an impactful experience.
“I liked all of it, I thought that was absolutely gorgeous, all the memorials were,” Cole said. “It was an experience I will never forget. I’ve already told people and showed them a lot of pictures.”
Cole was accompanied by his guardian, Richard Chapparo, who had no relations to Cole prior to the trip. Once the flight took off they quickly became friends and grew closer through their time together. Chapparo wanted to volunteer as a guardian because of his respect for the military that he gained due to his father-in-law who served in Vietnam. Growing up in the time of the Vietnam War added to his deep respect for those who served.
“I mean it all started when I was a kid, watching it on TV, and when they came back, I couldn’t believe how much disrespect they were given when all they were doing was serving the country,” Chapparo said. “So how could you not respect them when they are putting their lives on the line? I decided I would never stop respecting veterans ever.”
Cole bounced back and forth first to Lackland Air Academy for basic training, he soon transferred to the Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois for tech school. After he finished schooling, he went to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing in Washington and after that he was sent back to school to cross-train on the KC-135 Refueler planes. The rest of his career was spent as an Assistant Crew Chief preparing planes he refueled for the war in Vietnam.
All of this training was necessary and important, because the KC-135 refueler planes were instrumental when they came out in 1957 and continued to be for the next 60 years, improving and changing over the years. This is because they were capable of refueling at near sonic speeds, at 50,000 feet. The Fighters he refueled were sent to Japan for the war.
Cole joined nine missions to the Arctic Circle during his time in the military. While flying along the Russian border, he took photos of the USSR Soviet fighter planes to keep as mementos. These photos, however, have been lost over the years.
While refueling B52 Bomber planes in the Arctic, Cole was not made known of the events of the Cold War happening during the time, but never felt his safety was compromised.
“We were just the crew on the plane, we just happened to be refueling B52 planes along the Russian boarder,” Cole said. “When we saw the fighters come up on our wing, we wondered, but they weren’t aggressive, they just flew alongside us for an hour or so.”
Cole and his comrades felt, and were, far away from the Vietnam War, being mainly involved in the buildup and preparation. Other veterans on the CV Honor flight saw actual hand to hand combat whereas Cole did not feel the tension of the war until after his service. His wing he would realize was crucial in the preparation for the War.
Through the Honor Flight, many veterans receive the respect and gratitude they deserve for sacrifices they made for America. This is all made possible by generous donations and volunteers, one trip at a time.
Honor Flight #30 takes flight Oct. 14-16. If you would like to participate in welcoming them home, be at the Fresno airport around 6:30 p.m.
To read more about the Honor Flight organization, visit their home page.
To donate to the honor flight visit CV Honor Flight.
To read more from The Feather visit: HONOR FLIGHT: Jim Palmer or Central Valley’s 29th Honor Flight
