Two young sisters from southwestern Ohio have demonstrated remarkable dedication to honoring American veterans by raising over $30,000 for Honor Flights. Twelve-year-old Tessa and eight-year-old Raya Ziegler have devoted their efforts to supporting the Honor Flight Network, an organization that transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials commemorating their service and sacrifices.
In a recent interview, Tessa expressed her deep appreciation for the veterans and the joy she witnesses upon their return from the Honor Flights. She shared that her initial involvement stemmed from accompanying her mother to an Honor Flight event, an experience that profoundly resonated with her and her younger sister.
Raya, echoing her sister's sentiment, articulated her motivation for contributing to this cause at such a young age, emphasizing her admiration and gratitude for the veterans. Their mother, Rachel Ziegler, expressed immense pride in her daughters' initiative and highlighted the significance of providing veterans with the warm welcome home they deserve.
Rachel explained that many veterans from the Vietnam and Korean War eras did not receive the recognition and appreciation they deserved upon their return. She emphasized the emotional impact of witnessing the veterans' reactions during the Honor Flight homecomings, where they are finally greeted with the gratitude and respect they earned. The homecomings are filled with a mix of joy and tears, a testament to the profound impact of these trips on the veterans' lives.
Those inspired by the Ziegler sisters' story and wishing to contribute to this worthy cause can visit www.honorflighttristate.org.
