Tue, 11/03/2015 - 12:57

Frank Redman wheels Harold “Robbie” Robinson into the Portland Jetport upon their return from Washington, D.C. and the Honor Flight Maine event. Courtesy of Linda Redman

Senator Angus S. King Jr. greets Harold “Robbie” Robinson at the Portland Jetport on Sunday, Nov. 1 as part of Honor Flight Maine’s welcome home ceremony. Courtesy of Linda Redman

Frank Redman wheels Harold “Robbie” Robinson into the Portland Jetport upon their return from Washington, D.C. and the Honor Flight Maine event. Courtesy of Linda Redman

Senator Angus S. King Jr. greets Harold “Robbie” Robinson at the Portland Jetport on Sunday, Nov. 1 as part of Honor Flight Maine’s welcome home ceremony. Courtesy of Linda Redman

Harold "Robbie" Robinson and 44 other World War II veterans from Maine enjoyed their whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C. October 31 as part of the Honor Flight Maine program. This is the fifth Honor Flight trip executed for veterans currently living in Maine.

Robinson, formerly of the Boothbay region and now living in Brunswick, was accompanied by Frank Redman of Boothbay. The Honor Flight Maine group totaled 95 veterans and guardians.

Leaving from the Portland Jetport on October 31, Redman said the group was greeted at the BWI airport in Baltimore by cheering citizens and a motorcycle club known as the Honor Flight escorts.

"The club members are all military veterans," said Redman in an email to the newspaper. "They escorted our two buses from BWI to the World War II Memorial."

The group also visited Arlington Cemetery, witnessed the "Changing-of-the-Guard" ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and visited the following: the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, the Vietnam Wall Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Navy Memorial.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, the group returned to a "spectacular Welcome Home celebration," said Redman.

"Veterans were wheeled into the Portland Jetport terminal building in a column of twos, on a procession led by a magnificent group of bagpipers and drummers from all over Maine. The veterans were honored by military, state police, local sheriff, fire and police departments, Shriners, Boy and Girl Scouts, color guards, hundreds of cheering family, friends and veterans. Local and state dignitaries were also present to welcome the veterans home."

Robinson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Redman said Robinson really enjoyed going on the Honor Flight.

Honor Flight Maine is always looking volunteers to help support their mission. For more information about becoming a volunteer or a guardian, contact Honor Flight Maine at (207) 370-7210 or visit www.honorflightmaine.org or contact Chairperson, Laurie Sidelinger at 207-240-1398.