Honor Flight Austin

Guardian

Orientation

Welcome & Introductions

Southwest Airlines

Hilton Alexander Mark Center

Visit Five Memorials

You are a Guardian

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

treasures -

Our WWII Veterans

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• Safety is paramount• This is their trip, not yours• You are working, but make it fun• Talk to Honor Flight Austin members (Dark Blue

Polo's) 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

Check-In

• 9:00 - 9:30AM: Guardians arrive at ABIA

• 10:00AM: Veterans arrive at Southwest ticket counter upstairs (Will arrive early)

• Game on!

First Day in D.C.

• Lunch provided for Veterans and those flying at Austin airport

• Hilton for dinner/ceremony

• Lights out

Day of Touring • Breakfast at 6:00–7:00 a.m.• WWII Memorial • Lincoln/Vietnam/Korean Memorial• Arlington Cemetery—Changing of the Guard• Marine Memorial

*Times and locations are subjected to change

Note: Time permitting, we may visit the Air Force and / or Navy Memorials

Saturday Continued• From Marine Memorial travel to airport

• Arrive Ronald Reagan at approx 3:30 p.m.

• Dinner at airport

• Welcome Home at ABIA Southwest Counter

• Please ensure all Veterans have a way to get home from ABIA.

Bus Transportation

• Veterans and Guardians—always 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 with them

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• Wheelchairs are mandatory at the Iwo Jima

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 (OOH-RAH!), 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

Invite Your Friends and Family

It means a lot to the Veterans to have members from the community at the airport to

see them off and welcome them home!

Help give them the reception they deserve

Thank You

Most important factor:

SAFETY—SAFETY—SAFETY

Help make this trip a great experience

Questions?