SAN DIEGO, CA (KGTV)- Friday morning more than 80 veterans who served in WWII and the Korean War took off from San Diego International Airport for the spring “Tour of Honor” Honor Flight.
Veterans will spend three days in Washington D.C. visiting the memorials dedicated to the service and sacrifices they and fallen heroes have made.
“There were times when serving in the military was not necessarily looked at as a really great thing,” said veteran Joe Ashby before boarding his flight.
“I served 12 years in the Navy and retired from the Air Force so I saw a lot of different things from different perspectives, I’m so glad I served and I’m glad these people served with me.”
Joining the veterans are escorts who will spend the weekend supporting the veterans, guiding them and making sure everything goes smoothly.
“I’ve always wanted to go on this trip and never had the opportunity to go and now I get to escort a Korean War Veteran to all the memorials back there,” said one of the escorts, Bob Lawrence. “They came home after the war, they put away their war stuff and they went to work,” he said.
“They got on with their lives and no one really said ‘hey we appreciate what you did, because of you we’re free to do what we want to do,’” he continued.
Anyone wanting to thank the veterans and welcome them home can do so at San Diego International Airport at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The veterans will arrive at Terminal 2 in the baggage claim area.
Approximately 1,000 people are expected to welcome them home.
Attendees are asked to arrive an hour early and parking will be free of charge.
