For James Hoctor, a 1968 graduate of Purcell High School, the Honor Flight journey to Washington, D.C., offered a chance to see the nation’s memorials, reflect on his service in the U.S. Navy, and experience a welcome he will not soon forget.

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Hoctor was among 88 veterans who took an Honor Flight this past September to the nation's capital. He had watched the experience from a distance over the years, seeing Honor Flights return to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. He always thought it was something special. This time, thanks to his best friend and his Honor Flight escort, Greg Monahan, he got to be part of it.

"I'd seen the Honor Flights coming back at CVG a couple times over the years. I said, 'That's kind of neat,'" Hoctor recalled. "So we were just kind of excited to go to Washington and see all this stuff."

Hoctor's own military journey began in 1969, when he entered the Navy. After boot camp, he was assigned to the USS America, an aircraft carrier that operated in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. He spent four years in the Navy, including time at sea and a later assignment in Norfolk, Virginia, where he worked in fleet planning.

More than five decades later, the Honor Flight allowed him to reflect on that service while visiting some of the country's most significant memorials. But one of the most meaningful surprises came from closer to home.

Before the flight, Purcell Marian students took time to write thank-you notes to the veterans. Hoctor brought those messages along and read several during the journey.

“We're on the flight, and I'm reading some of these letters,” said Hoctor. “And I kept trying to envision myself back in high school trying to thank somebody for what they did.”

The messages made a lasting impression. Hoctor reflected on how meaningful it was to see young people recognize veterans' service and take the time to express their gratitude.

"I was very grateful to the students who took the time to write the thank-you," he said. "I wish I could say thank you to all of them at one time. You know, coming home (after Vietnam), you got treated pretty badly. But the Honor Flight and the notes from the kids kind of offset all that. That's history. This is how they feel now. And it’s gratifying.”

The group arrived in Washington to an enthusiastic reception. As the veterans made their way through the airport, people throughout the terminal came out of shops and gathered along the corridors to applaud and cheer.

"Everybody up and down all the corridors in the airport, coming out of the shops, just sitting there clapping and cheering for us," Hoctor remembered. "It's like, wow!”

The reception continued throughout the trip, with the veterans sharing the experience alongside fellow servicemen and women and their escorts. The group visited several memorials, including those honoring veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Air Force, as well as the Pentagon Memorial.

The experience also offered opportunities to connect with other veterans. Many of those aboard the flight had served during the Vietnam era, while others represented different generations of military service. For Hoctor, sharing the day with those who understood what it meant to serve added another dimension to the trip.

After a full day visiting the nation's memorials, the group returned to Cincinnati to another memorable welcome. As the veterans made their way through the airport, applause and cheers once again filled the terminal. Hundreds of family members, friends, and community members had gathered to greet them.

From the memorials in Washington to the enthusiastic welcome home in Cincinnati, the Honor Flight allowed Hoctor to feel appreciation for service that was not always forthcoming for Vietnam veterans. The handwritten messages from today's Purcell Marian students made the experience all the more special.

Hoctor’s connection to Purcell Marian stretches back beyond his own years as a student. Along with his brothers, his father graduated from the Castle in 1943, making Purcell an important part of his family’s history. He believes the impact that his education on Hackberry had on him can’t be overstated.

“I don't know how to really, truly explain what Purcell (and a Catholic Education) did and how it helped to form some worldviews,” said Hoctor. “You had to learn to be friends and learn to talk to classmates that were from other areas of the city. So it kind of broadens your experience.”

This Veterans Day, the Purcell Marian community proudly recognizes James Hoctor and all Cavaliers who have served in our nation's armed forces. We are grateful for their service, sacrifice, and the example they provide for future generations.