UPDATE: “No greater honor”, remembering a Honor Flight Kentucky founder
U.S. Army Aviation veteran Phillip Pittman was 75-years old
UPDATE APRIL 10, 2022
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Last week, one of the founding members of Honor Flight Kentucky died at the age of 75. Phillip Pittman helped to create the “perfect day” for veterans, flying them to Washington D.C. to see their dedicated memorials free of charge.
Sunday, family and friends gathered to say their goodbyes. It was an emotional afternoon as Pittman’s loved ones shared memories from his life. Jeff Hohman with Honor Flight Kentucky says Pittman created the motto “No Greater Honor” for the organization, but that there’s truly no greater honor than remembering the life of a great man.
“If anyone here doesn’t know or hasn’t known Phil Pittman, I’m sorry,” says one of Pittman’s family friends. “He was every person’s best friend.”
Pittman was described as a true servant of others who dedicated his life to helping people.
“Former Chief of Staff of the Army said it best, ‘once a soldier, always a soldier’,” says another family friend. “Lieutenant Colonel Retired Phil Pittman never quit serving.”
Pittman founded Honor Flight Kentucky with his partner-in-crime, George Campbell, who died just 6 months ago. Since 2015, their organization has flown over one thousand World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans to the memorials in D.C.
“It was just an awesome, awesome opportunity to see those two guys do what they do best, serve others,” says Jeff Hohman, Honor Flight Kentucky board member.
Not only did Pittman serve veterans, but he himself was a veteran of the Vietnam war.
“I will always remember Phil as one of the finest individuals I’ve ever met,” says Brigadier General (Retired) Ben Adams. “A patriot. Who not only served 26 years in our nation’s military and truly’s a selfless servant to our veterans, who never wanted the spotlight on himself for taking care of others.”
Many said their goodbye with one last salute. Pittman will be buried with full military honors at the Parkers Crossroads Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on April 14th.
ORIGINAL STORY APRIL 6, 2022
VERSAILLES, Ky. (WTVQ) – A founding member of Honor Flight Kentucky has died.
Phillip Pittman was president of Honor Flight Kentucky, which takes veterans on flights to Washington, D.C. to see their dedicated memorials at no cost as a way to honor them for their service and sacrifice.
He was part of the group that founded Honor Flight Kentucky in 2015.
He served 26-years in Army Aviation, retiring in 1991 as a Lt. Colonel.
He served two tours in Vietnam, along with tours in Germany, Korea to go along with several state-side assignments.
He lived in Versailles with his wife of 55-years, Connie.
He died Wednesday at the age of 75.
The visitation and memorial service will be Sunday, April 10 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home at 3421 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington.
The visitation is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the memorial service set for 3:00 p.m.
Burial with Full Military Honors will be held at 1:30 pm (CST) on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at the Parkers Crossroads Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 593 Wildersville Rd., Wildersville, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Honor Flight Kentucky.
