By admin 
The photo shows the group of five veterans who participated in the most recent Honor Flight. From left to right are Marvin Oquist, James Buffone, Herbert Wiltsie, Thomas Hebeisen and Richard Hausladen. Submitted photos
These five veterans consisted of James Buffone of Jamestown, Richard Hausladen of Forestville, Thomas Hebeisen of Portland, Marvin Oquist of Jamestown and Herbert Wiltsie of Frewsburg. The flight took place over the weekend of October 12 and 13 and took the veterans on a trip to Washington DC to visit the monuments there.
Buffone served in the Army during the Vietnam War, serving three years on active duty and one year in Vietnam. He said he decided to go on the trip because he heard about it from others.
“Everyone who has been there tells me not to miss it,” Buffone said. “I signed up and was eventually allowed to start working on it. It was a little overwhelming when we got back to Buffalo. The greeting there was great because when we came back from Vietnam we were protested against instead of welcomed.”
Hebeisen served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972 as part of the Blue Water Navy, with whom he sailed off the coast of Vietnam. He also subsequently served in the National Guard and is a member of the Brocton American Legion Post.
“I wanted to go on a trip to connect with other war veterans and see the nation’s capital and the memorials, which I hadn’t seen before,” Hebeisen said. “I enjoyed witnessing the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery and the Korean monument appealed to me.”
Although he didn’t personally know anyone whose name was on the Korean monument, Hebeisen said he knew 50 people from Chautauqua County served and died there.
Wiltsie served from 1960 to 1964, which he said fell right at the end of the Korean War and the beginning of Vietnam. He added that his cousin had prepared everything to go on the run, surprising him, but he was happy to go.
“It was very interesting and heartwarming,” Wiltsie said. “These were sad times, but there were also good times. I enjoyed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and I think those soldiers should be really committed to that.”
Hausladen served from August 1965 to August 1967, completing basic training at Fort Dixon, New Jersey, training in Maryland and serving in Vietnam. He said his favorite part of the trip was visiting the Vietnam Wall, and that it was a “great honor” to go.
“I’ve never been to Washington DC and my friends who have been traveling told me about it,” Hausladen said. “I also wanted to go for myself, and it was definitely worth it.”
Hausladen added that Channel 7 members were also on the trip with them and will air a special about the honorary flight on Veterans Day. Hausladen was also interviewed for this, next to the Vietnam Wall.
Oquist served in the Army in Korea as part of the 38th Parallel. He said he heard about the trip and contacted the Fenton History Center’s Vets Finding Vets Program, which coordinates the trip for the local area, and was accepted. Furthermore, Oquist said he thought the whole thing was remarkable and that he didn’t have a favorite part because he enjoyed the whole thing. He said the veterans, especially those from World War II, were treated as important diplomats with things like a red carpet, motorcade, motorcycle and police escort. Oquist also enjoyed the receptions at the Washington DC and Buffalo airports, where veterans were greeted with cheers, bagpipes, applause and hugs. He said the memorial tour was very good and the guide was waiting for the veterans.
“It was an excellent trip,” Oquist said. “There’s not one specific thing that stands out to me because they all did that. It was a bit overwhelming. I encourage anyone who has served, regardless of where you were stationed or any branch, to go on this journey. It’s something you’ll always remember, and something that still bothers me.”
For more information about participating in the Honor Flight, email the Fenton History Center’s Vets Finding Vets Program at [email protected].
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