• Posted: November 11, 2025
• better careers, better communities, better construction, Honor Flight Chicago, IBEW Local 134, Veterans, Veterans Day, Vietnam Veterans

 

“Thank you” may be two small words, but for many of America’s senior veterans, they carry decades of meaning. This year, Powering Chicago proudly served as the full-flight sponsor for Honor Flight Chicago, a nonprofit organization that honors World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans with a one-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. On October 15, 2025, Honor Flight Chicago recognized over 100 heroes who served, most of whom waited nearly 60 years for proper recognition.  This day and this honor flight were an act of gratitude, and for the Powering Chicago members who volunteered as guardians, it was an opportunity to serve again, side by side with fellow veterans.

When IBEW Local 134 veteran Tony Rodriguez, a foreman with Glow Electric Company, was asked to participate, he didn’t hesitate.

“It wasn’t for me—it was for them,” Rodriguez said. “These Vietnam vets never got the welcome home they deserved. To see them finally receive that honor was humbling.” Rodriguez, who completed three combat tours as a Marine before becoming an electrician, volunteered as a guardian accompanying a Vietnam War veteran throughout the day. For him, the experience was both personal and healing. “To be a veteran again and help other veterans, that’s what it’s about,” he said. “We understand each other because we’ve been there.”

Another Local 134 member, Trirata Earmsmuth, also joined the Honor Flight as a guardian. A U.S. Navy veteran and journeyman with PCS Power and Communications, Earmsmuth reflected on how his time in service shaped his work today.

“The Navy taught me discipline and attention to detail, the same skills I use every day on the job,” he said. “Volunteering for Honor Flight was my way of giving back to those who served before me.”

For both electricians, the day’s most meaningful moments came in quiet reflection with the veterans they accompanied, sharing stories, memories, and unspoken understanding.

For Lucky Moliviatis, another IBEW Local 134 member and Marine Corps veteran, volunteering was about connection and respect.

“We hit it off right away,” said Moliviatis of the veteran he accompanied. “There’s something only Marines understand, no matter what generation you’re from,” said Moliviatis. “It’s a rare opportunity to listen and learn directly from the people who lived through it.”

Throughout the trip, Moliviatis shared that what moved him most were the conversations—the stories his veteran told about friends, loss, and pride.

“Many younger members may not have relatives who served in those wars. This is a chance to learn from history, not from a textbook, but from someone who lived it,” he said. “You can’t understand the present without knowing the past.”

Moliviatis was also struck by the emotional weight of the day. “A lot of them don’t feel appreciated by the public, sometimes even by family,” he said. “Events like this remind them that what they did mattered. They finally get to feel that appreciation.”

As a longtime Local 134 member, Moliviatis said Powering Chicago’s sponsorship represents what the organization stands for: unity, respect, and community impact.

“I’m proud to be part of a union that not only acknowledges veterans but supports them,” he said. “Anything that makes our union—and our community—look good, I’ll support. These veterans deserve to be honored, and it feels good to know we helped make that happen.”

Moliviatis hopes more unions and organizations will get involved in future flights. 

“It’d be great to see more veterans get this chance before it’s too late,” he said. “We lose some every day. The waiting list is long, but if more people and unions get involved, more veterans will get the recognition they deserve.”

Powering Chicago’s commitment to better construction, better careers, and better communities extends far beyond the job site. By supporting Honor Flight Chicago, the organization helps ensure that the stories and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes are never forgotten and that every veteran receives the simple, yet powerful, “thank you” they’ve earned. Learn more about Powering Chicago by exploring our website.