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 Oct. 13-15 for the 33rd flight with 67 Korean and Vietnam war veterans on board. Their journey took them on a private capitol 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 33.
Greg Belemjian was just 19 years old when he entered the United States Navy, halfway through his college education and newly engaged. Belemjian started in the reserves, then transferred to a Westpac cruise aboard the VF-146 aircraft carrier USS Constellation in Vietnam for nine months. Belemjian monitored A-4 Skyhawk launches during this time.
The United States Navy was an extremely life-changing experience for Belemjian. He served from 1967-71, and during those four years, a shift in perspective occurred within him.
“The navy was probably one of the best life experiences I could have ever hoped for at that point in my life because I became a man,” Belemjian said. “I grew up, I grew up in the Navy.”
Belemjian spent two years in active duty in Vietnam, including nine months on the U.S. Path Carrier. During his time overseas, he served in an A-4 squadron and monitored all fuel and ordinance load requirements for missions, as well as coordinates. Belemjian operated from a small desk in the front corner of the mission briefing room aboard the aircraft carrier.
After active duty, Belemjain returned to the United States and attended the Nuclear Weapons Loading School in Lemoore, California. In the base in Lemoore, Belemjian spent countless hours putting his art degree to use in the base’s state-of-the-art design studio, where he specialized in pottery.
When Belemjian returned to his normal life, Vietnam veterans were receiving increased pushback from the public. This issue caused many veterans who risked their lives fighting for freedom to feel unwanted and dishonored.
The inspiring program, Central Valley Honor Flight, aims to bring honor and respect to the veterans who received little for their service. The organization is a nonprofit network that transports veterans to Washington D.C. to show them their memorials and other monuments around the Capitol, all free of cost to the veterans who attend.
Belemjian got to witness the love and dedication shown by CVHF firsthand. The trip was a unique and impactful moment in his life.
“The primary purpose for Honor Flight is to codify the country’s appreciation for what we did,” Belemjian said. “It did that in spades. Every moment of every day was a reminder of the cost of freedom for everyone else in this country, for all of us in this country.”
All veterans attending Honor Flight are accompanied by a guardian; their guardian can be a friend, family member or a good Samaritan. Jake Belemjian accompanied his father on Honor Flight, acting as his guardian.
“I think for most of the veterans it stirred a lot of emotions that have been buried for a really long time,” Jake Belemjian said.
After experiencing the magnificence of Honor Flight, Greg Belemjian, along with many veterans, is now a changed individual. Belemjian eased into his normal life once again, grateful for his Honor Flight experience. At 79, Belemjian is retired and lives with his loving wife, Mary Belemjian. Along with his son and guardian, Jake, he has a daughter and grandchildren.
With his family happily growing, and the splendor of Honor Flight still upon him, Belemjian spends his days reminiscing on the full life he has lived while residing in Fresno, California.
To read more about or donate to the Central Valley Honor Flight, visit their home page.
To read more from The Feather Honor Flight series, visit Honor Flight: Veteran Barbara Hoadley or Selah Neal gets on board the mission of Central Valley Honor Flight #33.
