OMAHA, NEB.—John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) announced that the company’s Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha—La Vista Hotel & Conference Center in Nebraska is continuing to collaborate with Omaha, Neb.-based nonprofit Patriotic Productions to honor the U.S. military. The 257-suite hotel is planning to host more than 600 Vietnam Veterans on May 1, 2017, prior to the veterans’ participating in a Vietnam Veterans Flight to Washington D.C. from Nebraska that is being organized by Patriotic Productions. Four planes are reserved for this landmark occasion, with the event being touted as the largest organized Vietnam Veterans contingent to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from any U.S. state. Springfield, Mo.-based JQH is a leading private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, including operating more than 1 million square feet of meeting space..@JQHHotelsResort Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha–La Vista to Host Veterans Prior to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visit
“Supporting those men and women who have bravely served in our United States Armed Forces is a shared commitment across the JQH national hotel portfolio,” said Tony Moody, General Manager of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha—La Vista. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue working closely with Patriotic Productions to honor those valiant individuals that have sacrificed much to protect our valued freedoms.”
According to Bill Williams, co-founder of Patriotic Productions, donations have been secured for two of the four planes scheduled for the May 1 Vietnam Veterans Flight—2017: “The Final Mission.” To make a pledge toward the remaining two planes that require funding, go to Patriotic Productions’ website. A veteran can be sponsored for a flight for $900. For hotel stays leading up to the event, a veteran rate is available at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha—La Vista.
Bill and Evonne Williams of Omaha founded award-winning Patriotic Productions to support their desire to honor the U.S. military and to share that opportunity with others who wish to do the same.
‘Generous Hospitality’
“Ensuring our veterans and their families have an inviting environment in which to meet and reconnect is paramount,” Bill Williams said. “We appreciate JQH’s Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha—La Vista’s generous hospitality to help create memorable experiences for our veterans and their families during these often life-changing reunions.”
JQH’s Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha—La Vista has a history of supporting veterans, including partnering with Patriotic Productions on multiple occasions to honor U.S. military personnel. The hotel had the opportunity to host overnight stays and pre-flight dinners for more than 1,200 guests prior to the June 6, 2016, Vietnam Veterans Flight to support 500 veterans with their visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. The award-winning hotel also hosted guests prior to Washington D.C. flights in honor of veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The property also held the “Remembering Our Fallen” Fundraiser to help sponsor a traveling photo memorial organized by Patriotic Productions that recognizes the Fallen who have died in The War on Terror since September 11, 2001. Initially focused on those Fallen that called Nebraska home, the heartfelt traveling exhibit has expanded to 19 states, with a national memorial unveiling scheduled for September 7 to 9, 2017, in Washington D.C.
‘Some Come Home and Some Don’t
After experiencing the “Remembering Our Fallen” traveling memorial, the mother of Drew, a Fallen soldier, shared, “Our young men and women give up everything to put their lives on the line and serve our country. Some come home and some don’t. We are so proud of our brave, courageous men and women. There is a constant ache in our hearts, a hole, something missing. It never goes away. Life will never be the same, but we will continue the mission of our loved ones…making the world a better place.”
David Scott, Director of Sales at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha—La Vista, served as a Guardian for the 2016 Vietnam Veterans Flight to help ensure veterans’ safety and a remarkable experience. He has been invited to serve as a Guardian for the 2017 Flight.
“We at Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha—La Vista are grateful for opportunities to make a difference by impacting lives,” Scott said. “Through our continued collaboration with Patriotic Productions, we are able to help recognize those individuals and their families that have given so much to protect the American dream.”
