SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - This week the Honor Flight family is saying goodbye to beloved family member Arthur Smith, a World War II Veteran and the inspiration behind San Diego's Honor Flight chapter.
Back in 2009, Arthur and his son Dave went to Washington D.C. with the Honor Flight Network. Shortly after, Dave created a hub in San Diego to give Southern California veterans the same experience.
“They came back three months, six months, even 10 months after war ended, to no fanfare whatsoever and went on with their lives, so this is our way of honoring them for their service," said Dave.
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Despite being exempt from the WWII draft because of his work making propellers for the war effort, Arthur was determined to fight for his country.
He served with the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1948.
During WWII Arthur was assigned to the First Provisional Marine Brigade and was part of the U.S. invasion to take back the Island of Guam.
“His service and the way he served, the selflessness, the individuals back in WWII and Korea and Vietnam, their country called and they were selfless about what they were going to do," said Dave.
Dave says the community can honor his father by coming to the Honor Flight San Diego homecoming in May or by donating to the organization.
- It costs the organization roughly $250,000 to send veterans to Washington D.C. for the weekend.
