 with Cypress Village resident and Veterans Committee member Jim Jandreau.jpg)
 with Cypress Village resident and Veterans Committee member Jim Jandreau.jpg)
Cypress Village resident and Coast Guard veteran Tom Sharrit recently hosted a presentation to share his experience taking the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Following his presentation, residents celebrated the 228th Birthday of the Coast Guard with a special cake and video.
Sharrit spoke of his adventure with his son on the Honor Flight earlier in the year, in which he and several other Florida veterans were commemorated for their accomplishments and service to the nation. The senior veterans were flown into Washington D.C. and had a police escort as they toured the capital and reveled in the emotions evoked at each memorial. Laughter mixed with tears at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery and the World War II Memorial. Visits to the Women in Service, Iwo Jima, Air Force and Korean War memorials humbled those in attendance who were a part of the conflicts. The day was highlighted by the Mail Call provided by the Honor Flight Network to recognize veterans for their dedication, and well wishes were sent from friends, relatives and citizens from all around the United States.
As Sharrit recounted his experiences among friends at Cypress Village and the program drew to a close with the cutting of the cake, a true feeling of community and kinship overtook those in attendance.
“Mission accomplished ... the war might have ended for these veterans from Florida more than seven decades ago, but the respect and emotions shared on that Honor Flight will live on,” Sharrit said. “It was simply a 24-hour adventure of re-connecting with fellow veterans, and rekindling memories from a former life that brought them together. For these veterans, they were united with their brothers in arms for a final mission ... and for them it was the greatest day ever.”
Cypress Village is celebrating the 71st birthday of the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 18. The retirement community has over 150 veterans from various branches of the military service.
