HFB organizer announces May is Military Appreciation Month –

Founder and organizer of Honor Flight Breakfasts in Kern Valley Gary Zuber

Photo and story by Catherine Stachowiak

May is National Army Appreciation Month, recognizing all branches of the U.S. military.

On Thursday, May 9, Gary Zuber, founder of Honor Flight Breakfasts in Kern Valley and Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, explained the value of this recognition. “This is America’s way of honoring its military branches that keep us safe and protect our country,” he said.

The United States Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1990, allowing Americans to express gratitude for past and current service to the country.

“We actually honor our veterans every month, not just in May, with the (Honor Flight) breakfasts and with Honor Flight,” he said. “We are going to have another flight of over 100 veterans returning to Washington, D.C. So far, we have brought over 2,000 veterans back to Washington, D.C. to pay their respects.”

Every year, there are at least two Honor flights to Washington DC. Honor flights typically take place in the fall and spring, when the weather is milder, and there are currently at least two flights each year, according to Zuber.

In the past, there were more flights each year simply because the airport only allowed small groups to leave Bakersfield.

“I boarded the Honor Flight in the summer of 2012. And in November, we recruited the first veterans from our area to go during World War II, and it was over 100 veterans who left in that time “Zuber said. said.

Airplane reservations are behind-the-scenes details, which vary from flight to flight, Zuber explained.

Honor Flight started with just WWII guys. Currently, it includes Vietnam veterans and newer veterans.

Zuber said, “Military Appreciation Month shouldn’t just happen once a year, in May; this should be a daily activity for veteran recognition.