Latest Tri-State Honor Flight is an FHSD Family Affair
On a typical day, Dan Hornschemeier is the smiling face behind the wheel of a school bus.
“I really like it,” Hornschemeier said. “If you treat the students right, they’ll treat you right. I love being able to get the kids started on the right foot and ending the day positively.”
Hornschemeier initially became involved at Forest Hills School District as a football, basketball and softball coach at Nagel Middle School after retiring from a successful career working in federal law enforcement. He eventually worked his way over to the Transportation Department, where he’s able to serve the same students as his daughter, Mercer kindergarten teacher Kara Meltebrink, and his son-in-law, Anderson social studies teacher Bill Meltebrink.
In late October, Hornschemeier was recognized for his service in the U.S. Navy by attending a Tri-State Honor Flight to Washington D.C. He selected his son-in-law to accompany him.
“I was really happy for him,” Bill Meltebrink said. “I felt a huge sense of pride that he is my father-in-law and that he’s done the things he’s done. He really deserved this recognition for everything he’s accomplished in his life. He has worked so hard all his life for his family and in service of his country.”
Hornschemeier, who served in the U.S. Navy for four years as a medic and dental technician at Naval Base Coronado and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, couldn’t help admiring all of the fellow veterans who also made the trip to the nation’s capital.
“It was very sobering and inspiring,” Hornschemeier said. “I just can’t believe the stuff these guys went through. It makes you reflect back on everything they did for our country.”
It was a particularly significant trip for Hornschemeier, who comes from a family with a strong military background. His father served in the U.S. Army and landed at the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. His two older brothers served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, respectively.
“It’s just something that we did at the time,” he said. “I didn’t think it was that out of the ordinary at all.”
The experiences and stories from this Honor Flight are something Hornschemeier and Meltebrink say they will carry with them forever. The photos and first-hand accounts are also something that Meltebrink says he will be able to include in his social studies classes to engage students by sharing the passion that the veterans felt during this trip.
“I was kind of speechless,” Meltebrink said. “I was in awe of all of these people that I was meeting and their experiences.”
The Honor Flight departed Cincinnati in the early morning hours and brought 84 veterans and 189 total people to historic sites like Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial and the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Honor Flight Tri-State takes veterans on these once-in-a-lifetime trips so they share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials.
Forest Hills School District wants to recognize Mr. Hornschemeier and all of the veterans who work or volunteer in our schools. The district thanks them and all veterans for their service to our country.
