Honor Flight Austin Training for

Washington, DC Guardians

Welcome & Introductions

Flight Dates: May 31-June 1 2013

Southwest Airlines

Hilton Alexander Mark Center

Visit Five Memorials

You are a GuardianWatch this video (below)

You are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of one of America’s greatest treasures -

Our WWII Veterans

Please Note: In this video it references a ratio of 3 to 1. We

now use a 1 to 1 ratio – 1 Guardian to 1 WWII Veteran

Guardian Video

Guardian Training

• Thank you for participating

• SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

• One-on-one ratio—one Guardian for every Veteran

• Honor and protect your Veteran at all times• Rewarding and memorable experience

• Stay on schedule— be aware to time

• Communicate any problems

Quick Tips• SAFETY—SAFETY—SAFETY• 25 Veterans on this trip • Safety is paramount• This is their trip, not yours• You are working, but make it fun• Talk to Honor Flight Austin members (Navy Blue

Polo Shirts) re: Safety, logistics and operations• Wheelchairs used for safety, faster movement

and comfort• Shirts and hats—visible accountability• There will be other hubs visiting the memorials• Stay with the your group

Southwest Airlines

May 31 Flight 2711

AUS/DCA — 12:30 p.m.– 4:40 p.m.

June 1 Flight 2800

DCA/AUS — 5:25 p.m.– 8:00 p.m.

Friday, May 31• 2:00PM: If you’re driving, park your POV at the Hilton Alexandria

Mark Center (we will cover the cost)• Take the Hilton shuttle to DCA

• We will need assistance with wheelchairs

• Go to through TSA – to the gate NLT 4:00PM

• 25 WWII Veterans will arrive SWA at 4:40PM

• Be prepared to welcome your veteran – this will be your veteran for the next 36 hours

• We will depart DCA – to the Hilton for dinner (approx 6:00PM)

• You are welcome to stay at the Hilton if you wish – rooms are $89.00

Saturday, May 18Day of Touring

• Breakfast at 6:30–7:30 a.m.

• WWII Memorial • Lincoln / Vietnam / Korean Memorials• Arlington Cemetery—Changing of the Guard

• Marine Memorial (Iwo Jima)

*Times and locations subject to change

Note: If time permits we may be able to visit the Navy and / or Air Force memorials

Saturday Continued• From Marine Memorial travel to airport• Arrive Ronald Reagan at approx 3:30 p.m.• Assist Veterans through TSA and to the gate• Dinner at airport – assist your veteran with dinner

• Flight departure 5:25 p.m.

• You will be asked to remain at DCA until departure• Socialize assist veteran with wheelchairs and getting on

the plane

• Use Hilton shuttle to return to your POV

Bus Transportation

• Veterans and Guardians—always on the same assigned bus; use same seats

• Headcount and equipment—check before each departure

• Veterans can stay on the bus if they get tired/want to take a nap

• If your Veteran stays on the bus, you stay on the bus

Safety—Foremost at All Times

• Stay with your Veteran—accountability, crowds

• Know Veteran’s issues: sight, hearing, etc.

• Hydration and medical condition• Wheelchair vs. walking• Loading and unloading buses

• Restroom breaks

Bus Safety—Entry & Exit• Six Guardians exit first—help unload, stage

wheelchairs, open footrest• Guardian ready with wheelchair when Veteran exits

bus (bus captain or paramedic calls out name)• Same six put chairs away when re-boarding• At each stop, one person at the top of the bus steps:

two at the bottom (one being a paramedic). NO exceptions

• WWII Veterans remain hands-free, especially when going up or down stairs

• 100% wheelchair-bound Veterans load and unload first

Wheelchair Safety• Always apply wheelchair brakes every time

you stop and when your Veteran sits down or stands up

• Be EXTREMELY alert when getting in or out of the wheelchair

• Always clear the foot/leg rest when assisting the Veteran in and out of the wheelchair

• Always help your Veteran in or out of wheelchair

• NEVER leave your Veteran in wheelchair unattended

Wheelchairs at Memorials• Wheelchair access at the monuments may

be limited • Maintain a high sense of awareness• When using stairs, assist your Veteran—ask

for extra help if needed

• Keep Veteran’s hands free of items—ask him or her to use the handrails

• Watch for soft, uneven ground and prevent falls

Smoking and DrinkingGuardians and Honor Flight Austin Personnel

• 100% of our focus is on the safety and well being of the WWII Veteran

• At no time do you leave the group or your Veteran to smoke or have an alcoholic beverage

• You are welcome to smoke in designated areas after your veteran goes to sleep—roughly 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m.

• While working , 100% of your time and focus is on the Veterans

• Drinking is not encouraged. If you do, drink responsibly and very moderately after all Veterans are asleep

• Do not encourage your Veteran to drink• We want them and you to stay hydrated with water

Talk to Your Veteran• Help stir conversation among Veterans• Point out interesting things• Ask who served in Pacific, Atlantic, etc.• Who was in the Army, Navy, Air Corps, Marines Coast Guard, Merchant Marines• Be aware that some may not open up • They may not want to talk about the war• Ask if they brought photos, memorabilia• Ask how the food was in WWII, clothing and equipment, etc.• Ask about the heat/cold they had to endure, insects, reptiles, etc.• Encourage Veterans to share stories with each other• Get to know the Veterans and appreciate their experiences• Periodically, ask them if they need to use the restroom

Be Their Ears and Eyes

• KNOW the Veterans on your bus—who is hard of hearing or legally blind

• Check the bus, airplane, waiting areas, wherever they sit – for their carry-on luggage for wallets, glasses, cell phones, etc.

• Echo announcements that are made, or ask Veteran if he or she heard what was said

Be Their Hands

• Don’t just hand our Veterans a bottle of water; unscrew the cap for them before handing them the bottle

• Assist with them with all meals

• Be aware of how they are eating or not eating

• If they drop something, you pick it up

Photos

• Photos posted on FACEBOOK throughout tour

• Share your photos with Honor Flight personnel

Most important factor:

SAFETY—SAFETY—SAFETY

Help make this trip a great experience

Questions?

Thank You

On behalf of Honor Flight Austin and the men and women of the Greatest

Generation – Thank You!

Thank you for your service!

POC: Allen Bergeron (512)809-7865

Tina Lee (210)316-9220