‘Honor Flight’ Provides Much-Needed Closure for Vietnam Vet
During the Vietnam War, U.S. Army soldier Bob Lindsay met up with his close friend and fellow soldier, First Lieutenant Jerry Kinsman, who was passing through Nha Trang before heading further south to Chi Long. The two — who became fast friends after meeting at the Vietnamese language school in Texas during training — shared a couple of meals before Jerry headed out.
Two days later, during a training mission in Nui Ta Bac, Jerry’s troop was ambushed by opposing forces. Jerry was shot, wounded, taken captive and presumed dead. His body was never recovered. The pain of his loss and the guilt of that experience has stayed with Bob since that day. It’s something he still finds difficult to talk about and deal with.
Veteran Bob Lindsay and his daughter, Erica, as they prepare for Bob’s Honor Flight.
In May 2024, Bob had the opportunity to participate in Honor Flight — a program that honors veterans by taking them on a tour of the U.S. military monuments in Washington, D.C., at no cost. The trip is designed to show veterans appreciation for their service. It includes large groups of volunteers who give veterans a sendoff and welcome home celebration.
Before Bob’s flight, his daughter, Erica, arranged a surprise. She had the flag box, a small box that contained the U.S. flag, ready for him at the airport terminal, and tucked inside was a picture of Jerry, who is still considered missing in action.
“It’s like Jerry got to make this trip with me in spirit. I was deeply touched,” Bob says. “The monuments are so meaningful. I was able to find Jerry’s name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. I knew exactly where his name was even before I got there. I was so moved — almost overwhelmed by it. Since that day, I’ve felt lighter. I left what I needed to leave at the wall.”
Enterprise Bank & Trust associates are proud to serve as volunteers for the Honor Flight program as part of Enterprise’s paid “Day for Good” Volunteer Time Off program.
“I’ve volunteered for Honor Flight twice, once with my dad and once with a veteran who had no family to go with,” says Mark Lawson, Senior Vice President, Director Treasury Management at Enterprise. “To see Vietnam vets get the kind of welcome and cheers that they didn’t get after the war is incredibly inspiring.” Enterprise St. Louis Market President Steve Albart and VP, Relationship Manager Brian Geen have also volunteered for Honor Flight.
In addition to volunteering, Enterprise supports Honor Flight financially by sponsoring the organization’s annual golf tournament. “It was an extremely memorable and rewarding experience to serve as a guardian on the 108th Honor Flight this past October,” Brian adds.
Bob was an Honor Flight volunteer for several years before he got his flight, and he continues to contribute time to the program.
“The volunteers’ dedication to the spirit of respect and honor is very inspiring. The welcome home we received definitely got me. I choked up. I can’t remember being so happy,” he says. “The honor units, church groups, Boy Scout troops, VFW members, brass bands and standard bearers all providing roaring cheers is an experience never to be forgotten. It was the welcome home we never got.”
