Pasan Nanayakkara
Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that provides veterans with free flights to Washington D.C. to visit the many war memorials built in their honor. In 2015, a group of veterans was awaiting their Honor Flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when a chance encounter with the Three Ladies of Liberty led to a heartwarming and viral moment.
The Three Ladies of Liberty, a singing trio, began belting out “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and the calm mood in the terminal turned to one of joy as men began to start getting up to dance. The first man to stand, offered a cane by his nearby friend, refused and moved into a full dance like a professional. His moves inspired many of his peers to stand with him and begin dancing as well.
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Two of the men in the dance, Merin Perryman and Paul Kopey, are both in their 90’s! Their energy and entertainment inspired the nearby crowd as well as the millions of viewers online. The video of the dance party has now been viewed over a million times, and it’s easy to see why. Seeing men united by tragedy still demonstrate so much joy for life resonated with much of the public.
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The video is a powerful reminder that age is just a number and that the human spirit is capable of so much more than we often give it credit for. It’s also a reminder of the sacrifices our veterans have made and the importance of organizations like Honor Flight in recognizing and honoring their service.
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For those who want to see the veterans in action, the video can be found on YouTube and is definitely worth a watch. The footage captures the veterans’ sense of camaraderie, their love for life, and their ability to come together and have a good time.
In conclusion, the Honor Flight veterans’ boogie woogie dance party at the airport is a heartwarming and viral moment that reminds us of the sacrifices of our veterans and the power of music to bring people together. It also serves as a reminder that you are never too old to have a good time and to dance.
