The St. Mary’s Feast Society Hall was packed on Sunday, March 3 with veterans, currently serving military and their families and friends who support them for a special event: The Rhode Island Fire Chief’s Honor Flight.

The flight, during which veterans are flown free of charge to the memorials of the wars in which they participated, was organized by retired Chief George S. Farrell, Chairman of the RI Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub.

Farrell founded Honor Flight Hub in August 2012, holding the first Honor Flight held in November 2012.

Farrell explains how and why he came up with the idea to start Honor Flight in Rhode Island.

“I was with my family at BWI (Baltimore-Washington International Airport) coming home from a vacation and we saw Honor Flight coming in at the BWI airport in the spring of 2010," Farrell said. “At the time, I didn’t know what Honor Flight was.”

Farrell and his wife were moved by the experience of greeting the veterans coming off the plane to visit Washington D.C.

“My dad and my wife’s dad were World War II veterans and I thought it would be a good way for me to honor their service too. I thought if no one was doing this in Rhode Island, we should.”

“I was president of the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs at the time so that’s how it got the name. It took about one and a half years to get it organized and off the ground,” Farrell said.

To date, RI Fire Chief’s Honor Flight have taken approximately 775 veterans, and at least 900 guardians, staff, medial teams, photographers etc., on their flights.

“Depending on the age, medical conditions, and physical abilities of the veterans, it is very labor intensive,” Farrell said.

Currently, Farrell and his team are preparing for their 30^th Honor Flight, scheduled for May 5.

“It cost at a minimum of about $550 or more per veteran,” Farrell said.

“By way of example, we purchased 45 airline tickets for May 5, and that cost nearly $12,000.” 

“Last year on their two Honor Flights, we took 207 people. Veterans, guardians, staff, etc… We chartered a total of five coach buses, provided breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everyone on the flight got shirts, commemorative coins and the veterans got a hardcover book on D.C. and hats too,” Farrell said.

Army Veteran, Private First Class, Normand Parent, who is 100 years old remembers his trip very fondly.

“My favorite part was the bus from the airport to D.C. We had a full police escort. That was a lot of fun,” he said.

Parent served in Italy in 1945 in the 10^th Mountain Division.

Paul Vadenais also sponsored the June 19, 2023 Honor Flight through his foundry, “Friends Foundry.” That flight was called Honor Flight “Freedom.” It took place on Juneteenth.

“Because we went on Juneteenth and took the Firefighter Pipes and Drums, I had to apply for a special use permit from the National Park service to allow them to play on the national mall,” said Farrell.

At the fundraiser, they were collecting donations, selling raffle tickets, and Michele Krakowski was selling handmade quilts with 100% proceeds going to Honor Flight.

Krakowski made a quilt out of the t-shirts from every Honor Flight taken in Rhode Island. It was proudly displayed and used as a backdrop for photos.

Farrell made sure when he spoke to thank all the volunteers, Honor Flight board members, the St. Mary’s Feast society, especially Carmine Vita and Lou Mosca for all their help.

Farrell acknowledged Former Cranston Mayor, Allan Fung, and his wife, State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung.

“When we are at the airport at 4:30 in the morning, you are there to wish us well, and send us off safely, Thank you for your support. When you think no one sees you, we do,” he said.

In addition to Normand Parent, the event also honored two veterans from Cranston.

The Giarusso brothers were there; Domenic is 101 years old and Louis is 100.

Louis served in the Army; combat infantry in the 77^th Infantry Division during WWII.

Domenic, was in the Air Force and served in Africa from 1942-1945 in the 312^nd Depot Repair Squad.

Most of what Farrell raises is from private funding or fundraising like this and events like the cigar dinner run by the Cranston Fire Fighters. They also receive an annual grant from the RI General Assembly.

For Farrell, there really is no time off and no breaks.

“Planning takes months. I purchase tickets about nine months in advance of a flight,” he said.

As for the event on Sunday, Farrell was very pleased.

“I’d estimate over the course of the afternoon about 140 people [attended]. Between ticket sales, outright donations, HF shirt sales, quilt sales etc., I know we did well.

All of it starts with a generous organization with St. Mary’s Feast Society’s leadership that donated their time, talented cooking skills as well, and their facility to allow this to happen,” he said.

To learn more about the Honor Flight program, or to sign up a veteran go to www.rihonorflight.com.