Lockheed Martin Honors Veterans Through Service, Support and Volunteering
Lockheed Martin honors veterans not only through our work and programs but also by actively volunteering to make a difference. This year, Anne, a dedicated Lockheed Martin employee, joined an Honor Flight to accompany veterans on a meaningful journey to Washington, D.C., war memorials. Her experience with Vietnam veteran Eddie highlights our commitment to recognizing veterans’ sacrifices and showing gratitude beyond Veterans Day.
Every Veterans Day, Lockheed Martin reaffirms its commitment to honoring those who serve, not only through our products and support programs but also by actively volunteering in ways that make a difference. Anne, a Lockheed Martin team member, embodies this spirit of gratitude by going above and beyond to support veterans. This year, she joined an Honor Flight—a program dedicated to giving veterans the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., war memorials built in their honor.
Honor Flight, a non-profit organization, organizes these trips year-round, providing veterans with an unforgettable day of recognition and respect as they visit national monuments. This mission resonates with Anne and many other Lockheed Martin team members, who see it as a meaningful way to show their appreciation for veterans’ sacrifices. Inspired by a Lockheed Martin colleague and U.S. Army veteran, Jennifer, Anne eagerly joined the flight as a volunteer.
Starting her day at 1 a.m., Anne traveled with a group of veterans and volunteers from Florida to Washington, D.C., where they spent a packed day visiting key landmarks, including the Air Force Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Each volunteer is paired with a veteran, and Anne was honored to accompany Eddie, a U.S. Air Force and Vietnam War veteran, throughout the experience. At the Vietnam Memorial, Eddie shared a touching memory of a friend lost in the war. Together, they located his friend’s name and created an inscription, a moment of remembrance that highlighted the powerful bonds of military service.
“The day was supposed to be about him, but he made it about others,” Anne shared, moved by Eddie’s selflessness. Throughout the trip, they bonded over a shared love of rock music and stories from Eddie’s career as an Air Force mechanic, later a commercial airline mechanic and now a volunteer at a car museum.
When they returned home after a nearly 24-hour journey, a welcoming committee greeted them with cheers and gratitude, an experience Eddie had never before witnessed. “He had never experienced anything like that before,” Anne said, reflecting on the impact of seeing veterans publicly honored.
For Lockheed Martin, supporting veterans extends beyond Veterans Day. Through initiatives like Honor Flight, Lockheed Martin employees demonstrate a lasting commitment to recognizing and celebrating the military community’s sacrifices. As Anne’s story shows, Lockheed Martin honors those who serve not only through innovation and mission-focused work but by showing up in person to express gratitude and respect to those who have given so much to their country.
