COMFORTING HEROES WHO COMFORT OTHERS

Each month from April to October Honor Flight Chicago carries hundreds of veterans to Washington D.C. for a Day of Honor.

For almost a decade, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry veteran handlers Jim Morrison (U.S. Army Veteran), LCC K-9 Military Relations Coordinator with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Nigel, and Gene Weisbecker (U.S. Navy Veteran) with  LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus have stood by the side of countless veterans at Chicago Midway International Airport, offering support and companionship during their emotional journey to Washington D.C.

On Wednesday, September 25, it was finally their turn to embark on Honor Flight Chicago #HFC118 among other 111 heroes to experience the profound gratitude and camaraderie that comes with such a significant mission.

They were sent off and welcomed back home by LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their dedicated handlers who were honored and overjoyed to be there for Gene and Jim on their special day.

“Being there to welcome Jim and Gene home was a tremendous honor for me. They make visits all over the Chicago suburbs every day with Brutus and Nigel, and they have been at Midway for the Honor Flights for years. The volunteers knew them and were just as happy as we were that Jim and Gene finally made the flight. It was a joy to celebrate them both,” says Jenni Hoffmeyer, handler for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois)

Jim Morrison (U.S. Army Veteran)

Gene Weisbecker (U.S. Navy Veteran)

Jodi Folta, Top Dog for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos (Our Savior’s Way – Ashburn, Virginia) and LCC K-9 Ministry team for Kezia Comfort Dog  (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland) welcomed Gene and Jim as they landed in Washington D.C.

“It was an honor to welcome Jim and Gene! I was also honored to shake the hand of the WWII veteran and thank a female veteran on the Honor Flight,” says Jodi.

Upon their arrival back home in Chicago, Jim and Gene and all the other veterans on the flight were welcomed with great honors! Tim Laabs, representing LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion presented both of them with purple hearts filled with words of respect and appreciation for their service from family, friends and LCC coworkers.

“It was my honor and privilege to attend this month’s Honor Flight return trip of veterans at Midway Airport in Chicago, and to present a customized Heart of Mercy & Compassion to LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry staff member, Jim Morrison, and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry volunteer, Gene Weisbecker. I am humbled and thankful for the service and sacrifice of not just these 110 veterans on the Honor Flight last Wednesday but all veterans and all military personnel currently serving on my behalf.  I highly encourage everyone to attend this monthly event at least once in their lifetime to experience what will be a lifetime memory,” says Tim.

Jim and Gene and their attending family members were thrilled to see so much support from the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog handlers and to be recognized by all LCC staff members via messages and on the Hearts of Mercy.

“It was joy to see so many LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers as I arrived in D.C. and returned home to Chicago last Wednesday.

I want to thank them all for being there. 

The Honor Flight was one of those experiences in life that was so impactful, it is hard to describe. Unless you have experienced it, the honor is difficult to put into words,” shares Jim Morrison.

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Each of these LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams took part in celebrating Jim and Gene:

Chicago Midway International Airport

(AM Flight)
Jael Comfort Dog
Michael Comfort Dog
Magdalene Comfort Dog

 

(PM Flight)
Caleb Comfort Dog
Charity Comfort Dog
Jeremiah Comfort Dog
Rachel Comfort Dog
Tobias Comfort Dog
Magdalene Comfort Dog

Washington Dulles International Airport

Amos Comfort Dog
Kezia Comfort Dog

Please join LCC to honor and thank Gene and Jim and all veterans for their service to our country ensuring that we continue to uplift and celebrate them long after the flight has landed.

LEARN MORE & DONATE – LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG MINISTRY