June 30, 2025
•
)
A veteran is welcomed by EF travelers at the WWII memorial in Washington D.C.
The EF Method
Every EF tour is built around the EF Method – our educational philosophy to help students get the most from our immersive travel experiences. It's based on three key growth areas:
Gaining fresh perspective
Learning about themselves
Sparking cultural understanding
Even in the hot spring sunshine, there is a respectful atmosphere at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Towering granite pillars – etched with the names of 56 U.S. states and territories – loom overhead, adding to the somber tone.
Visitors gaze up at the pillars with their intricate wreaths, as well as the many other impressive sculptures erected in memory of the 400,000 Americans who died during WWII.
On May 31, however, there was a buzz in the air. Over 100 students traveling with EF Explore America lined the leafy driveway leading from the bus parking to the memorial. They are watching the entrance to the driveway, clutching paddles and banners that read “Thank you veterans”.
Then, the first blue wheelchair appears, and the students erupt into applause. As the veterans make their way through the tunnel of onlookers – some walking, others in wheelchairs pushed by beaming volunteers – they wave, salute, and shake hands with EF students, teachers, and staff.
Top: An EF Tour Director looks out across the memorial during a passing thunderstorm.
Bottom: The 56 columns bear the names of the 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and seven U.S. territories present during the war.
This event is the result of an EF-exclusive partnership with the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit established to support veterans across the U.S. to travel to the Washington D.C. memorials built to commemorate their service.
EF coordinates with the Honor Flight Network to bring students on our EF Explore America tours together with veterans. In doing so, it bridges a generational divide, allowing students to understand the sacrifices former service personnel made – some of them when they were as young as our travelers are today.
Darby Jones, Senior Director of Educational Partnerships at EF Explore America, said the idea came from a desire to help students better understand what they learn in school and to give veterans “the recognition they deserve”.
“Empathy is at the very core of this effort to connect our student travelers with veterans”, he said. “Reading about war and conflict in books or online is one thing – but it’s something entirely different for young people to meet veterans face-to-face, look them in the eyes, express their gratitude, and invite them to share their personal stories. The power of hearing this firsthand cannot be overstated. It leaves an indelible impact on all of us.”
Since the partnership began in 2019, over 17,700 EF travelers have had the chance to pay their respects to veterans visiting the Washington D.C. memorials.
Mariafernanda was one student who seized this opportunity. After cheering several veterans on their way to the memorial, she stopped to speak to one veteran wearing a Battle of the Bulge cap – one of the bloodiest battles of WWII.
I asked Mariafernanda, who studies in Texas, what motivated her to reach out and speak to the veteran.
“I wanted to ask him if he had any regrets going to war”, she explained thoughtfully.
“Since I was little, I have been interested in history, so I wanted to understand more about what he thought and felt at that time. I really appreciated the opportunity to speak to the veterans and hear their stories. It was eye-opening.”
But it’s not just our student travelers that feel the benefit of this partnership. Every veteran that has walked down the aisles packed with students and members of the public has been touched by the experience, as well as those helping to make it happen.
Joe Villani, now 102 years old, received one of the loudest applauses that day. Serving for two years during WWII as a Merchant Marine, Joe is one of just 60,000 veterans remaining of the 16.4 million Americans who served in the war. He worked on six ships, visited 20 countries, and often slept in his uniform in case they were struck by torpedoes.
At the D.C. memorial, however, only the threat of brewing thunderstorms could shadow his day.
Then and now: Joe Villani served for two years in the Merchant Marines during WWII. On the right, Michele helps make Joe's visit possible.
“It was a great feeling”, said the Florida veteran, reflecting on his experience meeting EF travelers. “The greetings and recognition we all received were incredible. I felt so honored to represent the U.S., and I am glad that they are still teaching the younger generation about why these wars happened and how they changed history.”
Behind Joe, pushing his wheelchair, walked volunteer Michele Yarber. While not the center of attention, she and her fellow volunteers provide an invaluable service to the Honor Flight Network, supporting the veterans to experience these humbling moments.
Michele met Joe through her friend Joyce, who happens to be Joe’s carer. She visited Joe for a conversation and was blown away by his stories, immediately offering to help him visit the D.C. memorials.
“Being able to honor Joe in this way and give him the recognition he deserves was such an amazing experience”, Michele said. “I was so pleased to see so many young people throughout the day engaging with Joe and the veterans, taking pictures and saying thank you. I was brought to tears several times throughout the day.”
As the veterans returned to their buses to continue their trip, they leave behind a memory that will remain with our travelers for years, turning stories they’d only read in books and seen in films into real people with real lives.
17,700
+
EF Explore America students impacted since 2019
317,000
+
veterans supported by Honor Flight Network since 2005
100
+
students impacted at each event
More impact stories