Robin Coffey Honored Through Triad Honor Flight
For Robin Coffey, the experience of returning home from Vietnam decades ago was nothing like the welcome he received on Wednesday, September 23.
Robin, a longtime staff member at the Robinhood Road Family YMCA and U.S. Army Veteran, was one of two Robinhood YMCA participants on the third and final Triad Honor Flight of 2026. The flight departed from Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro carrying local Veterans, like Robin, to Washington, D.C., for a day of reflection, remembrance and recognition.
For Robin, the experience was deeply personal.
“I get very emotional when I talk about it because nobody cared when I got back before,” Robin said. “Just the feeling of being recognized; that I served and that I was in combat means a lot.”
During the trip, Robin and his fellow Veterans visited the memorials dedicated to the wars and conflicts in which they served, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The day offered an opportunity to reflect on their service and sacrifices alongside others who shared similar experiences.
But for Robin, the most meaningful part of the day may have come when the flight returned home.
The Veterans were greeted with a hero’s welcome, filled with appreciation and gratitude for their service. For Robin, it was the kind of welcome he never received when he returned from Vietnam.
Today, Robin continues to serve his community in a different way, through his work at the Robinhood Road Family YMCA. A familiar and encouraging presence at the Y, Robin works as a personal trainer and leads both the Hilltoppers and TRX Blast boot camps. He is also known for encouraging members and staff to challenge themselves and keep moving forward.
“Robin is an amazing person and deserves recognition,” said Emma Quintero, Membership Director at the Robinhood Road Family YMCA. “He served our country selflessly and continues to serve our community. We’re so lucky to have him and will be forever grateful to him for everything he has done and continues to do here at the YMCA.”
Robin’s impact extends beyond the members he trains. One of his Hilltoppers participants, David Kovach, also traveled on the Honor Flight as a guardian. The two train together at the Y twice each week, making the trip an especially meaningful experience for both of them.
“Robin brings incredible energy and dedication to everything he does at the Y,” said Jennifer Cleary, Associate Executive Director of the Robinhood Road Family YMCA. “Whether he’s helping members as a personal trainer, leading a bootcamp, caring for our facility, or preparing for his next race or competition, he leads by example and inspires those around him to challenge themselves and keep moving forward.”
“His participation in the Triad Honor Flight is another reflection of the commitment, perseverance and heart he brings to our YMCA community every day. We are so honored to have him here at the Robinhood Road Family YMCA.”
For one day, Robin was able to step away from his role as trainer, mentor, coworker and friend and simply be recognized for something he did more than 50 years ago - serving his country.
The Robinhood Road Family YMCA is proud to honor Robin’s service, sacrifice and continued commitment to serving others in his community.