WASHINGTON, D.C. (NBC26) -- For many veterans, it's the trip of a lifetime. More than 200 veterans embarked on Mission 53 of the Old Glory Honor Flight Wednesday.
Veterans and guardians gathered at the Appleton International Airport to board the plane to Washington, D.C. The veterans received a warm welcome when they arrived at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Crowds of people came out to cheer for the veterans as they got off the plane.
From there, the veterans got on buses and headed to the World War II Memorial, escorted by the police. They also made a stop at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Most of the veterans on the flight served in Vietnam. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was emotional for many as they traced the names of those they lost during the war.
"It's an honor to them to show homage to them, to show them that we care," said Paul Sabel, Vietnam Veteran on the flight.
The veterans were welcomed home when they arrived back in Appleton. Family, friends, and community members lined up in the airport, with signs and flags to show their support for the veterans, a support many said they didn't receive when they returned home from war.
To learn more about Old Glory Honor Flight, click here.
