Mahoney Selected for Blue Ridge Honor Flight
Olga Mahoney has plans she cannot break on October 6.
The Blue Ridge Honor Flight from Asheville to Washington, D.C., will no doubt be an unforgettable experience for a Christ School teacher who already holds veterans issues near and dear to her heart.
Every year, the Honor Flight allows western North Carolina veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam to see their memorials in Washington. Not only is the airfare provided, but so is bus transportation, lunch, and medical supervision. The veterans receive a hero's welcome upon their return to Asheville Regional Airport.
Mahoney went through the application process to be an Honor Flight guardian and has been paired with Asheville's Jack Chapman. He was born in 1932 and fought in the Korean War from 1952 to 1956.
"I'm elated to be part of something like this, and to see this day through Mr. Chapman's eyes," Mahoney said. "Especially for a cause that I've been affiliated with for so long."
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located in Washington's West Potomac Park, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
Mahoney's father, Nick, fought in World War II.
She has been a History instructor at Christ School for a decade now. Mahoney was named Teacher of the Year for 2017-18 and also directs the Service Learning Program. Both her classes and service opportunities for the Greenies incorporate veterans, whether it is guest speakers or local volunteer work.
Local businessman Jeff Miller was responsible for starting the Honor Flight as HonorAir back in 2006. It remains a nonprofit organization based out of Asheville.
