Villa Rose Senior Living Community Recognizes Veterans With Flightless Honor Flight

BETHALTO - Six veterans took a special “flightless Honor Flight” at Villa Rose Senior Living Community to commemorate Veterans Day.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, Villa Rose residents who served in the military and could not take the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., enjoyed a special program that allowed them to see the sights of D.C. on video from the comfort of Villa Rose. It was important to the Villa Rose community to honor these veterans and their sacrifices.

“It’s just a great reminder that all of these gentlemen went through something, giving up themselves so that we can lay our heads on a pillow each night, knowing that we’re a free country. And I just think that we owe them a lot,” said Executive Director Cindy Cannon.

Cannon worked with their mail carrier, Amanda, to connect a couple of their veterans with Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. These veterans took a traditional Honor Flight and traveled to D.C. earlier this year.

But there are many Villa Rose veterans who can’t or don’t want to fly, so the team worked together to bring the Honor Flight to them. On Nov. 5, the entire Villa Rose community gathered in the dining room to watch these veterans experience the flightless Honor Flight.

A video showed the sights of D.C. that veterans typically visit on Honor Flights, including war memorials and national monuments. For some of the veterans, it was a great chance to remember past D.C. visits or see sights that were completely new to them.

“The fun part is I’ve been pretty much everywhere that they showed there. I’m an Army brat. My father worked in Arlington. Our back patio was made out of tombstones,” shared Bruce McVey, a Navy veteran. “My grandfather was a first lieutenant, Dad was a master sergeant, and me. But I did what I did. I just don’t feel I need recognition for it.”

The Villa Rose community disagreed; everyone was eager to recognize McVey and his fellow veterans for their sacrifices. Darrell Lindow said the experience was “quite moving.” Lindow was a member of the Army National Guard. Rick Imel echoed him, calling it “outstanding,” while Chuck Drury and Tom Baker agreed it was “very nice.”

“I was in Korea in 1953, the night of the ceasefire. I was 17 years old,” said Ron Davenport. “I’m 91 years old right now.”

The experience was powerful, but perhaps the most impactful moment came at the very end. Like any Honor Flight, the veterans also received a final mail call. Cannon and the team at Villa Rose had been collecting letters from staff and the veterans’ loved ones for many months, and tears were shed when the veterans received their final bundles of mail.

Steve Wheeler with Land of Lincoln Honor Flight noted that these experiences would not be possible without the community’s support. The flights are completely free for the veterans, and everyone involved in the organization is a volunteer who simply believes in the mission. Wheeler believes the flightless Honor Flight at Villa Rose was a way to thank the veterans, but he emphasized that they deserve more recognition.

“Our parents gave us life, but these veterans gave us that lifestyle with their sacrifice, everything they’ve done. How can we not thank them for that?” he added. “They’re never going to forget this.”

As the Honor Flight concluded, all of the Villa Rose veterans — including staff members — gathered for a photo, shown above.

For more information about Villa Rose Senior Living Community, visit their official website or Facebook page.

More like this:

Villa Rose Senior Living Community to Host Trick-or-Treat and Open House

Oct 26, 2026

Villa Rose Senior Living Community Introduces New Independent Living Option

Oct 27, 2026

Land Of Lincoln Honor Flight To Send 92 Veterans To Washington On Mission #78

Aug 13, 2026

Revity Credit Union's 10th Annual Tee Up Fore Veterans Golf Tournament Raises $44,984 for Greater St. Louis Honor Flight

Aug 4, 2026

Edwardsville’s Hops & Heroes Blends Craft Beer and a Cause for Veterans

Jul 28, 2026