Waynesville’s Scott Stump took a Blue Ridge Honor Flight in 2010 and was a guardian for a veteran on the trip that he’ll never forget.
From that experience, where veterans are flown to Washington, D.C., to see all the war memorials and Arlington National Cemetery, Stump thought of another deserving memorial that should be built – for veterans who served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Blue Ridge Honor Flight co-founder Jeff Miller of Hendersonville was one of the first people Stump told the idea to.
“I first had the idea for this memorial way back in November of 2010. I realized that Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and all who served, were being forgotten and that this event was on its way to becoming a mere footnote in history,” Stump told 828NewsNow on Oct. 29.
Days before on Oct. 24, Stump saw his idea finally become a reality. The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. Stump said organizers were expecting a crowd of about 2,000 for the dedication.
“They said they estimated about 8,000 were there. There weren’t enough seats,” he said. “It was very gratifying to realize that this part of history and that all of those close to 700,000 who served and the 375 who perished will never be forgotten…and that this was done the right way – with 100% integrity.”
Stump said it was a day he will always cherish.
“The overwhelming reaction of attendees was one of appreciation…that those who served and died will not be overlooked, discounted or forgotten ever again. That makes me feel happy since that was my personal goal when I started this effort 16 years ago,” he said.
Miller was also there at the dedication, taking photos a documenting an important day in history. Miller later made a social media post about future Blue Ridge Honor Flights, and the announcement was about Stump’s dream that came true. All previous Blue Ridge Honor Flights had veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
“Beginning April 17, 2027, Blue Ridge Honor Flight will welcome Desert Shield and Desert Storm veterans aboard our flights to Washington, D.C. You served. Let us honor you,” Miller said in the post.
Stump said the project “was an extremely long, arduous and at many times heartbreaking journey.”
“This was a hard-won battle. But it was absolutely needed, and our country and its history will be much better for telling the story of Desert Shield and Desert Storm on the National Mall,” he said.Â