Heroes' Welcome

Lona Ichikawa, Chair

One of my SSG friends was deployed to Iraq and I asked her to fly a flag in memory of Mom's service during WWII. My friend did that and when I received it I took it over to my Mother's house. I gave her the US flag and certificate and she broke down and cried. She said it was the first time that anyone had ever recognized and thanked her for her service during WWII. That is why I am so passionate about supporting the WWII Veterans flying in to see their WWII Memorial and showing them recognition as the Greatest Generation. I too have served in the U.S. Army and have always supported the warfighter most of my 36 years in the U.S. Government.

Steve Hunt, Vice-Chair 

Margaret Dellinger, Treasurer
Margaret Dellinger of Vienna, Virginia is a 24 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary through the eligiblity of her husband Daniel Dellinger, a Vietnam Era veteran. Her father served in WWII and made the Army a career. Margaret had the honor to serve as the Department of Virginia American Legion Auxiliary President from July 2003 to July 2004, the year the WWII Memorial was dedicated. "It was an amazing experience to be in Washington D.C. and see WWII veterans see the Memorial for the first time". And this experience takes place again with the honor flights. Margaret still serves the American Legion Auxiliary in various volunteer positions on the District, State and National level and has been the Treasurer of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 180 Vienna, Virginia for the past 6 years.

Carol Waller, Secretary
Carol grew up in a military family and has been an employee of United Airlines for 21 years. Her father Maj.General (ret.) USA/USAR was a Korean war veteran with 35 years of military service. Her husband Lt.Col (ret.) USAF was an F-15 pilot who served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm and retired after 21 years of service. The military and it's causes have always had a special place in her heart. By chance she saw Judi in her Honor Flight T-shirt and that started a conversation that resulted in her participation in the next Dulles HF arrival. She is grateful for and humbled by each and every veteran she meets!

Gene Sizemore, Webmaster
Gene Sizemore, of Springfield, VA, has been an Honor Flight Volunteer for 1 year. He is a 22 year veteran of the US Army. After growning up in a military family and serving over 22 years himself, he became interested in World War II history while living in Europe. Over the course of 10 years he walked on every battle field in France and Germany. Seeing with his own eyes the scope and terrain our heros had to fight on helped shape his unwavering support for our greatest generation. After signing up online to be a volunteer, he did his first flight greeting at Regan National Airport and the Memorial. He was hooked from day one. Gene currently serves at the Pentagon and volunteers at both Regan and Dulles, he also serves as Webmaster, and Photographer.

Janet Renner, PR & Fundraising Director & American Legion Auxiliary Liaison
Janet comes to Heroes’ Welcome Honor Flight through the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 180 and is a member of the Auxiliary through the service of her father, Peter Manno Jr., US Navy and is currently married to a retired US Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Robert W. Renner. As a member of the Auxiliary she has held the position of Unit President for the past 2 years and Chairman of the PR, Junior Activities and Fundraising committees. Her experience has taken her to both the District and Department level where and has been Chairman for the District Poppy, PR, Girls State and Historian committees and Chairman of Junior Activities on the Department level. She has been attending Honor Flight arrivals on the Mall since 2006 and started attending IAD arrivals in 2009.