Photo: Honor Flight San Diego/Facebook
A World War II veteran spent his final days taking a trip of a lifetime alongside his family and getting honored for his service before he sadly died on his special flight home.
Frank’s “amazing weekend”, however, would turn out to be his last as the 95-year-old “humble hero” suddenly collapsed and died on his special flight home to San Diego, the city’s Honor Flight hubannounced in a statementon their Facebook.
“It is with our most deepest sympathy that we send our condolences to the Frank Manchel family,” they wrote. “Mr. Manchel passed away on the flight to San Diego last evening. He collapsed and resuscitation measures were taken but he could not be revived.”
His son, Bruce Manchel, who was on the flight with him, issued a statement on their Facebook and said the weekend was quite memorable for his father.
“We thank all of you – Honor Flight San Diego, American Airlines, San Diego International airport, friends, and supporters for your concern and for allowing the weekend to be so special for all of us to share together,” he continued. “Frank passed quickly and peacefully and the compassion and respect that that was shown to our family will be treasured always. May he rest in peace as he is now with his other beloved son Jimmy.”
“This trip brought my dad out of his shell,” hetold the outlet. “When we were walking down the streets of D.C., people were just coming up to him, shaking his hand, [saying] ‘thank you for your service.’ He was just soaking that up.”
On Sunday, Frank and Bruce boarded the special flight, which was filled with veterans, and headed back home to California.
The former Army Sergeant was even photographed on the plane, proudly showing off his World War II veteran hat and trip badge, while another captured Frank flashing a giant smile and holding up a thank you sign.
Frank Manchel.Honor Flight San Diego/Facebook
“The fella who caught my dad came up to me and said, ‘Listen, your dad — within 5 seconds of having him in my arms, was gone,'” Bruce recalled to the outlet.
According to the nonprofit organization, Frank’s body was then “draped in an American Flag that Honor Flight San Diego carries on every trip,” with chaplains on the flight leading prayers for the fallen vet.
“Medical personnel, firefighters and law enforcement saluted Mr. Manchel as paramedics escorted his body to the tarmac,” they added.
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Services for Frank are expected to occur in the coming days. As a way to show their final respects, American Airlines (who had been the carrier of the flight Frank died on) offered to fly him and his family members to his final resting place in Michigan, free of cost, according to Honor Flight San Diego.
“May this humble hero RIP. 🇺🇸” they finished, adding a photo of the veteran on his return flight — capturing one of his final moments.
Founded in 2005, Honor Flight now consists of 130 hubs across America. The organization is able to fund the free flights to D.C. through “private donations from individuals, foundations, associations, business owners and corporations wishing to thank our veterans for their service to the United States and our citizens,” the site reads.
Top priority is currently given to the eldest veterans, particularly who fought in World War II and the Korean War, as well as those who are terminally ill.
source: people.com
