MANSFIELD – Mechanics Bank nominated Mansfield’s Bob Hutchison, an 89-year-old Korean War Veteran who served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, to receive a recent three-day Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C.
Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to transporting United States military veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifice. Mechanics Bank nominated Hutchison, a member of the bank’s “We Salute You” program for active and veteran military members, as a token of appreciation for his service to our country, and was pleased to sponsor his daughter, April Luedy, to accompany him.
“It was all wonderful, but the best part was spending it with family,” Hutchison said.
Hutchison and Luedy received surprise sendoff rallies at four Mechanics Bank offices. Customers and employees waved American flags, cheered, and held signs to celebrate this local veteran as he traveled by. Girl Scout Troop #4129 sang “God Bless America” as Hutchison made his way past the Trimble Road Office en route to the airport.
The trip included a tour of Washington, D.C., visits to the Lincoln, Vietnam, and World War II Memorials, the Iwo Jima Statue, the Navy Memorial and Museum, and the Air Force Monument. His visit to the Korean War Veterans Memorial was especially meaningful.
Bob Hutchison’s son, David Hutchison, is an Army Veteran who traveled from California to join his father for the trip. Later, his niece from Washington, D.C., Kristy Benton-Grover, surprised him at the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to the tours, Hutchison had the opportunity to meet retired U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.
Of particular note, Hutchison designed the Korean War Memorial in Downtown Mansfield.
For more information about We Salute You, a program for active and veteran military members call Mechanics Bank at 419-524-BANK or visit MyMechanics.com.
Mechanics Bank is Richland County’s only independent, community bank, with nine locations in Richland County.
