Marathon’s Garyville refinery helps local veterans take Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Community News

Garyville, Louisiana, foundation
Three people posing for a photo in an outdoor setting.
From left: Paul Hansen, Jay Richert and John Vicknair pose for a photo in Washington, D.C., where they served as Guardians for Louisiana veterans during an Honor Flight.

Key Points

  • Marathon Petroleum employees served as Guardians on an April Honor Flight, accompanying 75 veterans from Baton Rouge to Washington, D.C.
  • The trip gave veterans from the Vietnam War, Korean War and other service eras the opportunity to visit the memorials built in their honor, many for the first time.
  • Marathon Petroleum also sponsored the flight and continues to support the Honor Flight Network in communities across the country.

Employee volunteers from Marathon Petroleum took to the skies with dozens of veterans through the Honor Flight Network.

In early April, the Honor Flight Louisiana trip carried 75 veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, along with other service eras, from Baton Rouge to Washington, D.C., where they toured the memorials built in their honor.

Three people standing together outdoors with the Washington Monument in the background.
Richert (left) stands with Louisiana veterans Michael Rideau (center) and Paul Sparacino (right), whom he served as a Guardian during the Honor Flight, with the Washington Monument in the background.on

Among those supporting the trip were Jay Richert, Vice President of Refining at Marathon Petroleum’s Garyville refinery; Paul Hansen, Refining Engineering & Major Projects Director; and John Vicknair, Lead Maintenance Systems Coordinator and chairman of Honor Flight Louisiana. Richert and Hansen served as Guardians, the term used by the Honor Flight Network for volunteers who accompany veterans throughout the journey and help ensure each one has a meaningful experience, while Vicknair supported the trip in his role with Honor Flight Louisiana.

“To stand alongside them as they visit these memorials, many for the first time, is something you don’t forget.”

“It’s hard to put into words what this means, not just for the veterans, but for all of us who get to be part of it,” Richert said. “To stand alongside them as they visit these memorials, many for the first time, is something you don’t forget.”

For many veterans on the trip, the visit to Washington marked a long-awaited opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to their service, often decades after returning home.

“As Guardians, we’re there to support them every step of the way,” said Vicknair. “But what you quickly realize is how much you gain from the experience, too. Hearing their stories and sharing in those moments is incredibly special.”

WAFB-TV also joined the trip, capturing the visit and interviewing Vicknair.

Click Here to watch video.

From takeoff to touchdown and back home again, the day is designed to honor those who served, while creating lasting memories for both the veterans and the volunteers who travel alongside them.

Marathon Petroleum was a proud sponsor of the flight and has long partnered with the Honor Flight Network, supporting trips like this in communities across the country to help ensure veterans can experience these powerful moments of recognition.

Two men standing together for a photo.
Hansen (left) is pictured with veteran Carl Karnish (Navy, Vietnam), whom he accompanied as a Guardian during a March Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Three men standing together for a photo with an American flag in the background.
Richert (center) stands with veterans Michael Rideau (Army, Vietnam), on his right, and Paul Sparacino (Navy, Vietnam), on his left, whom he served as a Guardian for during Honor Flight.