Honoring Our Heroes at MacKenzie Place – Colorado Springs

Nov 5, Alissa Sauer

At MacKenzie Place – Colorado Springs, wellness is about more than staying active. It’s about living with purpose, gratitude, and connection. Through our PrimeFit Wellness™ program, we support residents in pursuing meaning and vitality at every stage of life. This fall, three of our residents, Vern Swim, Shirley Swim, and James Butts, experienced that sense of purpose firsthand when they took part in Honor Flight of Southern Colorado’s Mission 21, joining 55 fellow veterans on a deeply moving trip to Washington, D.C.

A Journey of Honor

The Honor Flight program provides all-expenses-paid trips for veterans to visit the national memorials built in their honor. On October 2, 58 veterans,  including 51 from the Vietnam War, six from the Korean War, and one from World War II, departed Colorado Springs for a three-day trip filled with remembrance and reflection.

Among them were Vern and Shirley Swim, both proud Army veterans, and James Butts, who served in the Korean War. Vern served as an Army Chaplain for 24 years, while Shirley served as an Army Nurse during times of conflict — representing not only the bravery of those who fought but also the essential, often overlooked, contributions of women in uniform.

“Honor, Honor, Honor in Everything We Did.”

In a letter following his return, Vern shared his reflections on the trip, calling it “the most fascinating, educational, and emotional trip we have ever been on.”

He wrote, “Healing went on for vets who have carried silent burdens for decades.” For Vern and many others, the visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was deeply personal. “I found the name of a close friend of mine who was killed in Vietnam,” he shared. “There were few that didn’t shed some tears.”

Vern recalled visiting the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Vietnam Wall, alongside fellow veterans,  including a remarkable 99-year-old World War II veteran who “could still walk around with just a walking stick and was cognitively sharp.”

But the heart of the experience, Vern said, was honor. “Those who returned from Vietnam were given no honor,” he reflected. “The Fort Carson Commanding General announced that when the workday was done, go directly home, put on civilian clothing, and then go back out and do whatever errands you needed to do… So, this program is all about Honor, Honor, Honor in everything we do.”

Each veteran received a hat with two pins, one reading, “It’s never too late. Welcome home!” and the other, “Your service. Our Freedom!” “Even those pins were about Honor,” Vern wrote.

A Homecoming to Remember

The Honor Flight began with a powerful sendoff. “When we were departing by two buses from The Colorado Springs Christian School, the street was packed with people and American flags cheering us,” Vern shared. “Children came pouring out of the school carrying flags, yelling ‘USA’ and cheering us onward. It brought tears to see and hear all that honor.”

With a full police escort from Colorado Springs to Denver, lights flashing, roads cleared, the veterans experienced the recognition and gratitude many never received upon returning from service decades ago. “Now that is what you really call special and honored!” Vern said.

When they returned home, the journey ended with a heartwarming “Mail Call,” where each veteran received letters from family, friends, and community members, a tradition that meant the world to those who remembered waiting weeks or months for mail during deployment.

Living Well Through Purpose and Connection

At MacKenzie Place, we’re honored to celebrate Vern, Shirley, and James, and all who have served. Their journey embodies the spirit of our PrimeFit Wellness™ philosophy: living with strength, gratitude, and connection.

PrimeFit Wellness™ encourages residents to engage their whole selves, physically, socially, and emotionally, through experiences that build community and purpose. For Vern, Shirley, and James, that purpose took flight in the most profound way.

“Each flight is a three-day, all-expense paid journey,” Vern noted. “The program is nonprofit and 100% volunteer-run. It’s funded by donations. I strongly encourage all vets to apply for this program. Sign up and be HONORED.” Veterans or their families can learn more at honorflightsoco.net.

Gratitude That Lasts a Lifetime

We are deeply proud of our residents who represent not only MacKenzie Place – Colorado Springs but also the best of our community’s spirit, courage, service, and heart.

At MacKenzie Place, we live well by honoring the past, embracing the present, and creating opportunities to thrive every day.