News

Volunteer profile: Laura Cline

Laura Cline with Dr. Stanley Dienst, a World War II veteran, on a Blue Ridge Honor Flight trip.

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 24, 2018

Laura Cline

Blue Ridge Honor Flight

What do you do in your volunteer job?

“I am the assistant secretary for Jeff Miller and Honor Flight. I take the minutes and also help with some event coordination. A special thing I really doing is I send out thank you letters and notes to all the volunteers and organizations that help us either through mail call or just special donors. I just enjoy helping Blue Ridge Honor Flight so much. It’s my favorite way to volunteer. It’s just a great group of people. There’s nothing like that time when you actually go to Washington. I would encourage anyone to go on a Honor Flight or help because it’s such a special memory. Anyway I can give back to those that have given so much it just makes me feel really good. The whole board works tirelessly. I think they always do so much. It’s really special to show the veterans a welcome home in a way they never had and maybe makes them feel in some ways that in spite of an awful experience (in war) it helps them maybe find some peace.”

How long have you been volunteering?

“Since May of 2017.”

Why do you volunteer?

“From the moment I heard of Blue Ridge Honor flight, I just thought wow that really sounds good. I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel inside to help them out.” A client of the architecture firm where she works had never seen the National World War II Memorial and wanted to go. She went as his guardian. “And ever since I’ve been hooked on helping them move forward. I asked if they need help with the minutes they said, yes, of course and I s special. A year ago in May.

What’s the best thing about volunteering?

“The best thing I think is seeing the smiles on their face and their eyes light up when they are being thanked as a veteran and I think it helps them heal from some old wounds. Honor Flights actually helps sooth those painful scars.”

If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience?

“I think that volunteering is the way you really have to live your life. One of my best friend’s mother said only thing that matters in this world is what you do for other people and I always remember that and think that kind of makes sense. Take that first step. Just call and say I want to help serve a meal or serve breakfast. Just doing anything really makes a big difference. Just reaching out and making that first start is a way to be really fulfilled in your life and give more meaning to your life than just your work or the things we have to do every day. I think it’s one of the best ways to give back to your community. To help make someone’s day a little bit brighter will make your day brighter. I can’t the thank the Honor Flight board enough for being there for me and for being my family and in every way that they help me.”