I rode an escort (actually 2) for WWII Veterans (read: HEROES) yesterday, & it is one of the most MOVING experiences that one can be a part of. It rained like HELL & only about 40 bikers rode the escort. One of the Veterans asked me why I would ride in the rain for a bunch of old men. I told him that later on I would be sleeping in a warm, dry bed, but 67 years years ago, those guys were young men & they FOUGHT in the rain & slept in foxholes with bullets flying & artillery landing on them. We do 5 - 6 of these every year. The Veterans are then flown to DC to go to the WWII Memorial on the National Mall, & it costs them nothing. 16.1 MILLION served during that war & there are LESS than 1 million of them still living . We are losing them at a rate of 1,200 - 1,500 every day. This link shows one of these Honor Flights & the reception they receive after landing.
(broken link removed to http://www.mullerover.com/2012/05/23/what-honor-looks-like-the-flash-mob-at-gate-38-of-reagan-national-airport/)
(broken link removed to http://www.mullerover.com/2012/05/23/what-honor-looks-like-the-flash-mob-at-gate-38-of-reagan-national-airport/)