David Knorr decided to join the military because he felt it was a duty of all Americans to support and defend the ideals of democracy and world peace. And he felt that it was a duty he should fulfill.
His service in the Navy was honored last week with a trip to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to transporting U.S. military Veterans to the nation’s capital to view the various memorials of the wars in which they fought. Since the first Honor Flight in 2005, more than 244,000 Veterans have been flown to Washington D.C to visit their memorials. About 164 other local residents accompanied Knorr on the trip.
Knorr served in the Navy from 1967 to 1971.
“My military training began with boot camp at Great Lakes Training Center,” Knorr said. “Afterward, across the freeway was the Basic Electricity and Electronics School and the Radar School.”
For Knorr, the Honor Flight process began at a VFW Patriot Guard monthly honor ceremony where an Honor Flight representative gave a presentation, and Knorr signed up for taking the excursion to D.C. He didn’t really know what it would entail.
“I was happy to be included in the contingent of fellow military personnel who served in the same cause,” Knorr said. “It was about four weeks before the travel date when I found out my acceptance for the trip.”
While he had taken several business trips to D.C. over the years, he had not seen the many tributes to veterans in the city.
“I had not availed myself of visiting or honoring the monuments to the military Veterans and the country. This trip allowed me to do what should have been done a long time ago.”
Those on the Honor Flight included Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
During their time in D.C the Veterans were honored with observances and respectful recognition for what has been done and accomplished by service members.
Getting to meet other Veterans and talk to them about their service was one of the highlights of the trip for Knorr.
“Enjoyable conversation with everyone went on all day. What you had done was not as important as what you were presently doing. As the world turns we all should remain current and relevant in the ever-changing society.”
Knorr’s favorite outcome of the Honor Flight event was knowing that what his country had done was the right thing, and that every day people do make differences in the world, past, present, and future,
While the greatest challenges during his service included recognizing that every element of an organization is an important part of getting the mission accomplished, his military training and service benefited him the most in his life by giving him the ability to successfully complete the goals and objectives of the establishment he was working in.For young people considering military service, Knorr is supportive.
“Value in what one believes is very important. All options for living life to the fullest should be considered. Dedicating time to the country would be a good consideration for anyone.”
When asked what makes him feel most proud when he looks back on his service, Knorr said, “Fulfilled would be a better word than proud. As part of the team we were able to fulfill the goals and objectives of living in a democracy.”