SPRINGFIELD — Ricky Exley has seen much of the world’s beauty and some of its ugliness. None of it, however, affected his eyes quite like the sites of Washington, D.C.

In October 2016, Exley took a trip to the nation’s capital with Honor Flight Savannah, an organization dedicated to transporting veterans, at no cost to them, to visit war memorials designed to honor their sacrifices.

 “I’ve been to Vietnam, Australia, Singapore and a lot of states in the United States, and this was the biggest thrill of my life,” Exley said. “I never, ever expected it to be like it was.”

An honor flight tour includes the World War II Memorial, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, United States Navy Museum and Memorial, United States Air Force Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Women in Military Service to America Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, plus the Korean and Vietnam War memorials.

“I got to see the real monuments — not a picture — and it was all free,” Exley said.

Exley encourages other veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to take advantage of the opportunity Honor Flight Savannah affords. The next tour is set in May 2019. 

Veterans can learn about Honor Flight trips and how they can participate in one during a Nov. 14 event at the Mars Theatre. Starting at 6 p.m., it will feature a 45-minute video and testimonials from Honor Flight participants, including Exley. 

“The best part to me was when we went to an amphitheater right there behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” Exley said. “We had a general talk to us and he was over all the (American) armed forces overseas — all of them. He was the top dog.

“After he talked with us, one of the guards (at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) who was off for the day explained to us about their duties, their training and all that they do. I’ve got goose bumps now just thinking about it.”

Exley feared that the Honor Flight bus ride to Washington would be taxing. He was pleasantly surprised, however.

“I thought it would be difficult but you have the time to get to know the people that were sitting around you,” he said. “We talked and laughed, played jokes. There was always somebody standing at the front of the bus telling stories.”

Exley said the buses make occasional stops to rest and get refreshments.

“It was a very good experience. It really was,” he said.

A Vietnam War veteran, Exley is grateful that he participated. His trip far exceeded his expectations.

“I didn’t have a clue that they would take you up there — kind of wine and dine you” Exley said. “We stayed in the nicest hotels and we ate very good food.”

To make the trips even smoother, each Honor Flight veteran is assigned a guardian. Guardians, who pay their own way, work to ensure their assigned veteran has a safe and memorable experience.

“They wait on you almost hand and foot,” Exley said.

Exley’s guardian helped him overcome his physical challenges. 

“I am an amputee,” he said. “I have an artificial leg and was in a wheelchair a good bit. As soon as that bus stopped, the bus drivers and the guardians had those wheelchairs out there waiting on us.

“They push you all around and you don’t have to do anything.”

For more information, call Jerry Maennche at (912) 663-0322 or email him at j.maennche306@comcast.net.