Century Village East Veterans Honored with Trip to Washington, D.C.

Century Village East proudly salutes three of its own—Marty Drucker, Joe Litofsky, and Larry Wayne—who recently participated in a powerful and heartfelt journey to our nation's capital, courtesy of Honor Flight South Florida.On May 17, the trio, along with 65 other veterans from Broward and Miami-Dade Counties spent the day in Washington, D.C., where they were celebrated for their military service and sacrifice.

Their itinerary included visits to iconic memorials such as the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The final stop in DC was a visit to Arlington National Cemetery where they were recognized as honored guests for a Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Each stop served as a poignant reminder of their service and the service of countless others who defended our freedoms.The experience was more than just a sightseeing tour—it was a day of deep recognition, respect, and gratitude.

]Veterans were accompanied by trained Honor Flight volunteers, medical staff, counselors, and guardians who ensured their comfort, safety, and enjoyment throughout the journey.Helping make this unforgettable experience possible were Honor Flight South Florida volunteers and Century Village East residents Arlene Frankel and Holly Pitti, whose efforts in coordinating numerous pre-flight details helped assure a seamless and meaningful trip. Arlene and Holly’s commitment to honoring our veterans exemplifies the spirit of our CVE community.Perhaps the most touching moment of all came when the veterans returned home. Upon arrival at Fort Lauderdale Airport, Marty, Joe, and Larry were greeted with a hero’s welcome—a lively and emotional homecoming celebration attended by friends, family, neighbors, and community members. American flags waved, applause filled the terminal, and heartfelt hugs and handshakes marked a memorable end to an extraordinary day.The Honor Flight program exists to remind veterans that their service has not been forgotten. For our Century Village East honorees, the message was loud and clear: your courage, your sacrifice, and your legacy matter deeply to us all.We extend our deepest thanks to Marty, Joe, and Larry for their service, and to the Honor Flight volunteers and supporters who make trips like these possible.If you're interested in learning more about Honor Flight South Florida or how you can get involved in future missions—whether as a volunteer, donor, or travel guardian, or veteran—please visit www.honorflightsouthflorida.org.Let’s continue to celebrate the heroes in our midst and ensure every veteran in Century Village East knows just how much they mean to us.