Honor Flight: Bend Pearl Harbor survivor Dick Higgins and family take special journey to his final resting place
(Update: Adding photos of Los Angeles arrival)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Two days after a public memorial service and military funeral for Richard "Dick" Higgins of Bend, who passed away last week at the age of 102, granddaughter Angela Norton and her family, with whom he spent his later years, on Saturday accompanied his flag-draped casket on a special Honor Fight from Portland International Airport to Los Angeles, then a final trip to Orange County for his burial beside his wife of 60 years, Winnie.
Higgins was transfered to Alaska Airlines Flight 1172 from Portland to Los Angeles, on their specially emblazoned "Honoring Those Who Serve" aircraft, by members of the airline's Fallen Soldier Cart team.
Alaska Airlines Captain Adrienne Grechman was requested by the family to fly Higgins to LAX after the two connected and stayed in touch after she Grechman flew him from Honolulu to LAX after the 80th anniversary Pearl Harbor ceremonies. She noticed him on board and arranged an impromptu hero’s welcome to LAX.
The Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group was part of the special honors at PDX, as were Portland police officers and firefighters. Similar honors took place at LAX upon Higgins' and the family's arrival, before his interment in Orange County.
