Read Ranch & Coast Virtually Anywhere
Issue link: http://ranchandcoast.uberflip.com/i/1533765
@ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE APRIL 2025 47 When asked if there was any difference in the way officers and enlisted personnel were treated on their return, both Brooks and Dwight Wait, another Vietnam veteran who will be on the trip, shook their heads and answered together: "If you were wearing a uniform, it didn't matter." Brooks, who is president of the Del Mar Historical Society, initially volunteered to be a "battle buddy," what Honor Flight calls the individuals who escort the veterans, some of whom require walkers or wheelchairs. But at 85, he was told he was too old. He could only go as a veteran hero, and he will be escorted on the trip by one of his grandchildren. Wait will be accompanied by his son. Cima will be leading one of four groups of veterans and battle buddies who will be visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the World War II Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, among other sites. Most significant though, are the dinners when the veterans get to mingle and invariably find people they met or knew, or nearly crossed paths with during the course of their service. "When they're with their brothers, they open up quite a bit," says Cima. " at's one of my favorite parts. It starts an avenue of discussion so that when they go home they continue to talk about it." And just as important as the three days in Washington is the hero's welcome they receive upon their arrival back home. "We have a huge ceremony when they return. Especially when it comes to our Vietnam veterans, we want to make up for the welcome they didn't receive," says Cima, highlighting the fact that there will be between 1,000 and 1,500 people at the airport to greet the veterans on their return. Cima has spoken with several veterans who have said the experience has helped them heal, and she and the rest of the organization's volunteers hope that happens on this tour as well. At the very least, they want our veterans to know they are revered. It costs $3,100 to sponsor a veteran and $950 to take part as a battle buddy, many of whom are family members or friends. "But there are volunteers as well," says Cima, "people eager to be that fly on the wall and hear all the stories." Honor Flight San Diego is part of the Honor Flight Network, which has more than 150 chapters across the nation, and has flown more than 300,000 veterans to Washington, D.C., since its inception. is month's Tour of Honor departs Friday, April 25, and returns Sunday, April 27. ey will be arriving at Terminal 2 baggage claim around 1pm, and everyone is invited to welcome our heroes home. honorflightsandiego.org "We Can Do It!" reads the iconic World War II poster depicting a woman who became known as Rosie the Riveter with her sleeve rolled up, flexing her muscle to aid in the war effort. San Diego's Roberta "Randy" Tidmore did just that, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps 81 years ago. The Gary Sinise Foundation honored Tidmore and other "Rosies" from around the country in New Orleans on March 21, national "Rosie the Riveter Day." The event featured a tour of the National WWII Museum and commemorations. Last year, Congress collectively honored Rosie the Riveters with the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest civilian accolade, for their wartime service. Tidmore was escorted by Holly Shaffner, Vice-Chairman of Honor Flight San Diego, the nonprofit which paid tribute to Tidmore in 2016 on a trip with other veterans to Washington, D.C. After returning home from New Orleans, Tidmore celebrated her 103rd birthday with the Women's Museum of California in Balboa Park. The party at the San Diego History Center included cake, candles, champagne, and the premiere of a new episode of the museum's Emmy Award-winning series Trailblazing Women by Sandra Maas, which featured Tidmore's inspiring story. During World War II, Tidmore, like millions of women in the United States, worked at jobs traditionally held by men. She produced parts at a civilian assembly plant, and after boot camp at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, drove trucks and chauffeured military officers. Tidmore later flew for United Airlines and served as chief stewardess for many years. She is still involved with the Women Marines Association and Clipped Wings, an organization of sister retirees, and has received numerous awards for her philanthropic work. The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary honored her as a 2020-2021 "Woman of Dedication" at its annual presentation and luncheon, where Tidmore received a standing ovation for her long service to country and community. San Diego's "Rosie the Riveter" BY ANDREA NAVERSEN ROBERTA"RANDY" TIDMORE: PHOTO BY JEFF REASE, PORTRAITS OF HONOR Roberta "Randy" Tidmore