The mission of Honor Flight is to honor our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice and I was reporting for duty, on board Central Valley Honor Flight #33.

Veterans hold a special place in my heart, and they always have. My father, a Marine veteran, instilled in me a great sense of respect, honor and pride for the United States military. October 2024, I watched my friend and fellow journalist, Tabitha Peters, go on CVHF #30 with our journalism advisor Kori James.  This left me in awe of “The Honor Flight effect.” 

“Partnering with CVHF has allowed several journalists the chance of a lifetime to not only grow the skills they are trained to do, but also deepen their patriotic appreciation for the men and woman who served our nation,” James said. “You can visit Washington D.C. as and 8th grader and it has a special memory but visit with a veteran on board Honor Flight and it will change your life.”

Hearing all about her experience led me to want to go on a Central Valley Honor Flight as well. James looked me in the eyes and said, “You’re next on my list.” Almost a year later, I found myself invited to be a part of the Central Valley Honor Flight #33 media team, I was screaming with excitement on the inside. Participating in the trip presented an opportunity to build relationships with veterans and gain insight into their service. This trip would be one I would never forget. 

Before the Flight

My training began Monday morning, 6 a.m., Sept. 8, as I reported camera in hand to the Fresno Airport, capturing  Honor Flight #32  as they departed. After being introduced to many of the people who make Honor Flight possible, I was confirmed to join the next flight.

One month before departing for Flight #33, I received a thank-you card from a friend of a veteran aboard Flight #32. She wrote, “Dear Sweet Selah, What a great American citizen you are! Thank you for honoring and celebrating the Honor Flight people this week. It meant so much to see you smiling and encouraging veterans and their families.” 

She filled a whole page describing how my being there meant something to her. I thought what I did was so insignificant: I showed up for about an hour, took a few pictures, shook a couple of hands and went to school. Little did I know I was already making an impact. This was just the start of the journey awaiting me.  

Central Valley Honor Flight #33

The clanging bell of the town crier echoed through the airport as we arrived in Baltimore, MD. “God Bless America, God bless our veterans, home of the free because of the brave!” Middle school students clapped, cheered and welcomed every veteran. This was the first of many gratitudes that would accompany them through the monuments and moments in Washington D.C.

Less than a week before our departure, the U.S. government shut down. The Capitol and a variety of memorials were closed to the public. News came that local Congressman Vince Fong, with special permission, flew red-eye to personally escort the veterans into the Capitol. Taking in the granduer of the nation’s statehouse with no one else around was a unique experience. Going through several security checkpoints we were ushered into the the back hallways were so much history has taken place. 

There we were, sitting in the House of Representatives chamber when House Speaker Mike Johnson walked right in and took time to talk with the veterans about the Biblical symbols around the room, the Biblical foundations of the United States and of course catch everyone up on the government shutdown. This was one of many highlights of the trip. The standing ovation he received from everyone spoke to how grateful they were that he would take the time. History teacher Kori James was still beaming after she was able to shake his hand and have a quick conversation with him. 

Traveling from one memorial to another, veterans had locations that were particularly meaningful to them. Photographing these moments felt precious and intimate as they allowed me to witness something most will never see.

At the Vietnam Wall, veteran Michael Dillman searched the wall and found 17 of his comrades names. Passing by him, he touched Brock Elliot’s name, fingers lingering on the carved letters longer than his other names. What came next was a personal phone call to Elliot’s sister. Fifty years after his death, they still grieved the loss together. Every time Dillman stepped away from the wall, I heard him whisper what sounded like a prayer, and his words to me still ring in my head: “It’s so sad, isn’t it? So sad.”

Another unforgettable moment was visiting the grave of my great grandfather at Arlington National Cemetery. John B. England, an ace fighter pilot during World War II and the Korean War, died serving his country.

His military decorations include a Silver Star, 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 15 Air Medals. England’s legacy carried through my family is not one of his medals but rather his character. We remember him as selfless, kind and a strong leader. 

Walking up to his humble grave, my head swarmed with emotions from pride to sadness as I never got the chance to meet the great man from childhood stories. Although I never met him, emotions felt heavy because family is still family. Not remembering the last time I visited his grave, the short visit impacted me beyond words and held abundant meaning for my family.

Navy veteran, Rich Tolladey, experienced a personal side trip similar to mine that I got to capture. Tolladey walked up to Admiral Hyman G. Rickover’s grave; while he was not a family member, he might as well have been. He expressed his gratitude by placing a penny atop the headstone. These two minutes at Arlington had a lasting impact on him, something I resonate deeply with myself. 

Two weeks after the trip, Veteran Tolladey emailed me a short story titled “Two minutes in Arlington,” a recollection of his trip to Rickover’s grave. Halfway through the story, a tear dropped from my face as he shared the impact that I made on him.

He wrote, “When I turned to leave, a young woman standing nearby asked softly, ‘What’s the significance of the penny?’ She was visiting her great-grandfather’s grave—a quadruple ace. Her question wasn’t idle; it came from respect. She nodded quietly, eyes glistening, and thanked me. It was a small exchange, but it felt larger than words. Somehow, the moment became part of something lasting.”

Respect. He recognized my respect. That was one part of his story that meant the world to me. 

Post-trip, KMJ radio broadcaster Christopher Gabriel invited my teacher Kori James and me to share on his radio talk show. During this conversation, I touched on my thoughts about respect and how the foundation of a strong, lasting relationship begins with respect.

The Impact

Korean and Vietnam veterans made the same sacrifice as other veterans from different eras. They too protected American citizens with their service but often felt forgotten or unvalued by the negativity around foreign involvement during their time. Knowing they struggled to have pride for what they did or that they didn’t feel safe to talk about it for most of their life was hard to hear. For many, the Honor Flight is the first time they experience real healing. I fought back thoughts of “Who am I, to be respected by these veterans?” Every single one has earned the title of a war hero, and it means the world to them that I, a 16-year-old high school student, should care.

As a teenager in the United States, I see many in my generation take for granted the sacrifice of veterans. We have never experienced war firsthand; our understanding of it comes only through what is shown on television, social media or shared in history classrooms. As the town crier rang out, “Home of the free, because of the brave.” Freedom is not free.

Gallery • 15 Photos

Kori James

Feather photo-journalist, Selah Neal, runs scoial media for CVHF alongside Feather Adviser, Kori James.

My relationship with my dad allowed me to hear a limited, first-hand account of war, but Honor Flight opened my eyes to realize that there are many unveiled stories from every battle wound, physical or emotional. Every veteran has an incredible testimony, and each story deserves to be heard.

While visiting the World War II memorial a veteran quietly sat in front of the freedom wall counting each and every gold star that represented American lives lost. When his guardian showed him a plague that did the counting for him he replied, “Every life deserves the time is takes to count them.” Those stars represent 4,048 service members.

My media job on the trip was to capture the trip and share social media in real time for the families at home. I made three reels and captured close to 2,000 images. While I utilized and grew in my journalistic skills, that was not my core takeaway. This trip opened a new door for both the veterans and I. The beginning of healing suppressed emotions, which only the safe and nurturing community of Honor Flight evokes.

This trip allowed me to slow down and open my eyes to the countless stories walking right in front of me. The trip revealed that you cannot feel gratitude without understanding the sacrifice behind the service. 

Central Valley Honor Flight has more than 400 veterans on the waiting list. If you would like to donate to the mission of this organization so more can experience the honor they bestow visit the Central Valley Honor Flight website.

Join the FC community in honoring Veterans during the annual chapel, Nov. 6, at 9:30 a.m. in Peoples Auditorium

To read about Tabitha Peters journey with Honor Flight #30, visit Student-journalist journeys with Central Valley Honor Flight #30

To read more veteran stories visit, HONOR FLIGHT: Veteran Jim Palmer or HONOR FLIGHT: Veteran Masami “John” Shiba

To read more from The Feather visit Athlete Spotlight: Lacy Smith races with confidence or Opinion: From Protest to Progress, Walmart moves away from artificial dyes