Editor’s note: Princeton resident Elaine Russell will be accompanying her father on his Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. The following guest editorial includes Russell’s thoughts prior to her trip. Later in October, Russell will follow up with the BCR and tell of her thoughts after they return from their Honor Flight.

In 41 days he would be 83 years old, and seeing him sitting there, one would never know of his disabilities until it was time to shake hands. Even the fact he is sitting in a wheelchair does not fully reveal the extent of a lack of the mobility that once allowed him the freedom to do what he loved most ... farming. But in November 2008 his body failed him and illness struck, paralyzing his right side but certainly not his zest for life.

So when he asked if I would consider traveling to Washington, D.C., as his guardian for the Honor Flight Springfield on Oct. 16, it was easy to accept this honor for one of our Korean War vets. Hence, the paperwork begins.