Southeast Florida Honor Flight’s Buck Off Challenge Returns To Wellington March 18
By Y.A. Teitelbaum
Vietnam War veteran Jim Boldon is grateful for his memorable trip aboard a Southeast Florida Honor Flight in 2019.
The 73-year-old Boldon reminisced how he had not received any thanks after returning home from the war until his Honor Flight, a one-day trip from Palm Beach International Airport to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built to honor war veterans’ service and sacrifices.
“It was a brutal war, and not to have any recognition [upon returning home] was not fair,” said Boldon, an U.S. Air Force veteran who has lived in Wellington since 1985. “People weren’t kind to us.”
The reaction was the complete opposite when Boldon and about 80 other veterans returned from their Honor Flight. “Our family was at the airport to welcome us home, people were waving flags and cheering,” Boldon said. “It brings tears to your eyes. After being forgotten for almost 40 years, it was absolutely awesome.”
Southeast Florida Honor Flight is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that flies World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans four times a year free of charge to the veteran. Each flight costs about $120,000, according to chairman Janet Hoose.
Numerous fundraisers are held throughout the year, highlighted by the popular AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge, a family-friendly mechanical bull-riding competition scheduled for Friday, March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center. The event is co-sponsored by the Village of Wellington.
“The veterans are treated like rock stars on their Honor Flight,” Hoose said. “I’m honored and privileged to help honor these heroes. The Buck Off Challenge is a fun way to raise money to help our veterans.”
The AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge is a fundraising event started by Wellington’s Bobbi Rottman of Eques Solutions, which primarily specializes in bringing the equestrian community and businesses together. Rottman and her team started this event almost 10 years ago, and for the last four years, Southeast Florida Honor Flight has been the beneficiary. They spend months going over every detail to make sure the nonprofit receives enormous support from the community and gets the opportunity to educate more people about the organization.
“This is a fun and entertaining event that the entire community can participate in, and it is a great tool to raise awareness for Southeast Florida Honor Flight,” said Rottman, a lifelong equestrian who started Eques Solutions in 2008. “The veterans deserve our support and respect, and I’m happy and proud to be able to offer an event that can impact their organization.”
Four-person teams compete in the AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge, where individual rides are scored by a panel of celebrity judges and totaled to determine the winning team. Riders are scored on their ability to stay on the bull while keeping one hand in the air at all times, as well as the style of the ride. Higher scores may be achieved for character, team spirit and costumes. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams. The entry fee is $100 per team.
A limited number of individual VIP reserved seats are available for $75 and includes dinner and a cash bar. General admission/unreserved seating tickets are $15 each.
To register a team or purchase tickets, visit www.honorflightsefl.org/events.
Korean War veteran Stanley Levin distinctly remembers his Honor Flight trip in 2018. “It was one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had,” said the 92-year-old Levin, who served in the infantry with the U.S. Army. “Most of us were in tears. Everywhere we went, we were hugged, bands were playing for us. We were so overcome with the emotion people showed us. It was tremendous.”
Levin, who has lived in Wellington for more than 20 years, also remembers how Honor Flight had family members write letters to the soldiers, which were delivered to them on the plane. And when they returned home to PBIA, they were greeted by thousands of well-wishers.
Vietnam War veteran Frank Malec echoed Levin’s and Boldon’s emotions about the Honor Flight trip, as he vividly remembers being called vile names upon returning home. He appreciated the amount of work done to coordinate the trip that made it a very special occasion.
“With Honor Flight, it helped me heal that hurt,” said the 75-year-old Malec, who has lived in Wellington since 1976. “I was amazed that people took time to come and welcome us home. There were kids with signs. I remember a girl gave me her sign. I almost started crying.”
Malec admitted he didn’t initially want to go before being persuaded by a friend.
“I’m glad I did it, very glad I did it,” said Malec, who served as an infantry squad leader in the U.S. Army.
He had simple advice for his fellow veterans regarding Southeast Florida Honor Flight. “I would say, go. It’s very healing. It’s incredible. It’s very beautiful,” Malec said.
For more information about Southeast Florida Honor Flight, visit www.honorflightsefl.org or www.facebook.com/honorflight or call (855) FLYAVET (855-359-2838).
