Young sisters dedicated to helping veterans attend Honor Flight

The girls led the homecoming parade at CVG

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Two young sisters from the Harrison area have found a passion for helping veterans and they’ve made a significant difference doing so. 

13-year-old Tessa Ziegler and her 8-year-old sister, Raya, have raised more than $30,000 to allow local veterans to attend Honor Flights at no cost. 

The Honor Flight program offers veterans who are 65-years-or-older a trip to visit the memorials in Washington D.C. The veterans are usually accompanied by a family member. 

Tessa and Raya, along with their mother Rachel, attend every Honor Flight homecoming at CVG to welcome veterans back from their trip. 

Their impact over the past few years has been so significant that the Director of Honor Flight Tri-State invited them to attend an Honor Flight on Wednesday, May 21. 

“He wanted to show the girls what happens during an Honor Flight and what their fundraising efforts are going toward,” Rachel said. 

The day began with an early morning flight from Cincinnati to Washington. 

Once landed, the girls visited locations including the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, Navy Memorial, Air Force Memorial and Lincoln Memorial. 

“You get to see some of these guys talk to fellow Vietnam veterans and get closure. Some initially don’t want to come on the trip but then they are glad that they did,” Rachel said. 

Tessa and Rachel also received a rare opportunity as they were selected to lay a wreath during the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

Participating in the solemn tradition was Tessa’s most memorable moment of the trip. 

“It means a lot to me at Arlington because I got to remember all the soldiers who sacrificed everything for us,” Tessa said. 

Before departing back to Cincinnati, Raya, who just completed second grade, handed veterans thank you cards that her classmates wrote. 

Raya said it made her happy to give the cards because, “I like when there are a lot of smiles on veterans faces.” 

Their flight returned to Cincinnati shortly before 9 p.m. where thousands of people were awaiting their arrival.

Tessa and Raya were given the opportunity to lead the homecoming parade as there were bagpipes, signs and people rejoicing.

In the sea of people they did notice some familiar faces as local Vietnam veterans PG Gentrup, Ernie Johnson and Ron Spurlock went to the airport to greet the girls upon their return. 

You can learn more about the local Honor Flight program by clicking here. 

Read more about Tessa and Raya here. 

Here are some photos from the Honor Flight: