A Warm Welcome Home

Villa St. Benedict staff and residents gather at Midway Airport to welcome back one of their own aboard Honor Flight Chicago

On the evening of Wednesday, July 15, 2009 a group of 9 Villa St. Benedict residents, staff and sisters were brought together for one common reason, to honor one of their own. Mr. Phil Downey a resident at Villa St. Benedict and a former World War II Veteran was part of the 80 veterans escorted to Washington, D.C. Mr. Downey’s flight was the ninth in a series of “honor flights” dedicated to honoring veterans living in the Chicagoland area.
Early Wednesday morning Mr. Downey, flew out of Midway Airport headed for Washington D.C. This one day trip included a day of remembrance and reminiscing for many veterans who have waited over sixty years to see the highly anticipated World War II Memorial. In addition to the WWII Memorial Mr. Downey and his group of veterans visited the Iwo Jima, Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials. “It was a long (18 hour) day, but a worthwhile one”, stated Mr. Phil Downey.
Upon his arrival back to Midway Airport Mr. Downey was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd. “No one anticipated the enormous turn out that came to give these veterans a welcome home they never had”, said Donna Zielazinski, a staff member at Villa St. Benedict. Along with Villa St. Benedict residents, staff and sisters, there were also other families, friends and associates. Also included were the JROTC Color Guard and the JROTC band.
“The entire day was absolutely magical and spectacular”, stated Mr. Downey. “I could not have asked for anything more. I was so surprised and touched by my fellow friends at Villa St. Benedict. It meant so much to me to see them at the airport when I arrived home!”