Honor Flight Bluegrass carries local veterans to D.C.
Korean War veteran Rovie Alford stands at the Korean War Veterans Memorial’s Wall of Remembrance during Honor Flight Bluegrass. PHOTO | Submitted
Staff Report
On September 30, Granville Allen VFW Post 5837 celebrated one of its oldest active members, Rovie Alford, 90, who was selected for an Honor Flight Bluegrass trip to Washington, D.C.
Alford was one of 83 veterans from western Kentucky on the flight, including 72 Vietnam War veterans and 11 Korean War veterans. The group toured the World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima/Marine Corps War Memorial, and the U.S. Air Force Memorial.
Honor Flight Bluegrass carried 83 veterans from western Kentucky to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30, including 72 Vietnam War and 11 Korean War veterans. PHOTO | Submitted
The day began at the Louisville airport, where roughly 250 people gathered to send the veterans off. Upon arrival in D.C., the plane received a water-cannon salute and a flight line of flags welcoming the group. That evening, the return to Louisville was met by an estimated 3,000 people honoring the veterans with a spirited welcome home.
Rovie Alford, 90, a Korean War U.S. Air Force veteran from VFW Post 5837. PHOTO | Submitted
Rovie Alford, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, is widely admired at Post 5837 and, members say, embodies the Air Force’s core values of integrity, service, and excellence.
Honor Flight Bluegrass provides one-day trips at no cost to veterans so they can visit the memorials built in their honor. Post 5837 extends its thanks to all volunteers and supporters who helped make the day possible and offers heartfelt appreciation to every veteran who served.
