Connecticut Transit (CTtransit) is working with the Honor Flight Connecticut mission to honor veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials. This program hosts veterans' transportation needs all at no cost to them.
CTtransit was first contacted five years ago to take part in CT’s inaugural Honor Flight. The agency provided buses to ensure veterans were safely and promptly escorted to the airport—all at no cost. This chapter is just one of 131 Honor Flight Hubs throughout 45 states sharing that cause.
Blendi Nako, superintendent of transportation at CTtransit, puts it: “We respect our veterans; we make it happen. It’s an honor to donate. We don’t even have to think about it.”
At the most recent memorial trip, veterans and volunteers boarded three CTtransit buses on their way to the Bradley International Airport. Veterans were met applause and praise from a gathering of friends, families and veteran support organizations standing by.
“We are proud to stand tall in support of those who served our nation. The dedication, sacrifice and resilience that our veterans continue to show us daily is a testament to why we’ll be there every year the Honor Flight chooses to fly,” said Thomas Stringer Jr., general manager of CTtransit.
“Whatever we ask for. Whenever. Whatever. Admir Shurdho (transportation supervisor), Blendi Nako, D. Brown (transportation supervisor) and the whole team are there, ready, willing and able. We are tremendously grateful for the partnership and support CTtransit provides for us. We don’t overlook or take for granted those who took a leap of faith to support us and put trust in us that we’d get this charity off the ground," said Dan Sparks, Honor Flight president.
Eman Abu-Khaled | Associate Editor
Eman Abu-Khaled is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelors in journalism. She works through Endeavor Business Media with Mass Transit as an associate editor. Abu-Khaled brings a fresh perspective to the visual side of journalism with an interest in video and photography work.
