11,000 Letters of Gratitude: Honor Flight San Diego Veterans Moved to Tears by Surprise 'Mail Call'

SAN DIEGO, CA — It is a tradition that once provided the only lifeline between the front lines and the home front, and today, it moved nearly 100 local heroes to tears. During a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Washington, D.C., Honor Flight San Diego surprised its latest group of veterans with more than 11,000 pieces of fan mail in an emotional tribute known as "Mail Call."

Honor Flight San Diego is a nonprofit organization dedicated to flying America's senior veterans—those who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War—to visit the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifice. While the trip is filled with sightseeing, the most impactful moment often happens 30,000 feet in the air.

The Morale Boost of 'Mail Call'

The tradition of Mail Call dates back to World War I, acting as a critical morale booster for troops stationed thousands of miles from home. On this flight, the experience was recreated with a modern, overwhelming twist. One by one, veterans were handed thick stacks of approximately 120 envelopes each, filled with handwritten notes of gratitude from across the country.

"This is more mail than I ever got because we didn't get mail," said Rick Harby, a Navy Veteran who served for 20 years, including the Vietnam War era.

For others, the moment brought back vivid memories of their time overseas. Robert Pitchford, another Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, recalled the excitement of seeing a letter from his wife. "It just felt good to know that you had somebody at home that was caring for you," he shared.

A Surprise from Home

While letters from grateful strangers were impactful, it was the personal notes from family and friends that truly broke through.

• Richard Fisher, a Navy veteran, was moved by a letter from his son, noting that the memories shared brought "tears to my eyes."

• Larry Brenner described being "totally blindsided" by a letter from a friend of 30 years who praised his "selfless devotion" in all areas of life.

• Diana Dorsha, one of the female veterans on the flight, shared the emotional moment with her daughter and guardian, April Edwards Dorsha, who noted that the letters were a vital reminder of her mother’s courage.

How to Get Involved

The outpouring of support is a collective community effort. Honor Flight San Diego relies entirely on volunteers and donations to provide these all-expenses-paid trips. The organization is already collecting letters for their next flight, scheduled for September 2026.

Those interested in writing letters to surprise the next group of veterans can contact Donna Hester at donna@thehesters.com. "Just seeing his response, it melts me," said Michele Bass, who watched her father, Sr. Chief John Billups, read his letters. "My dad is my hero."

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