Since 2005, Honor Flight has been taking local veterans to Washington D.C., to "honor" those who never made it back home and remember what this country has been through.Yesterday, I had the opportunity to fly along. Vietnam veteran Richard Kuhlman got emotional at the Vietnam Wall of Remembrance talking about Sgt. Howard Pigg. "He had 10 days to go and they made him go with us and he got killed on the first day. Ten days and he would have been home," Kuhlman said. It's a journey wrought with reflection. For 16 hours, time stands still, as 85- veterans — World War 2, Korea, Vietnam — take a breath for those who can't. Vietnam veteran Albert Genetti says he thinks about our fallen heroes often.World War II veteran James Spicer feels the same way. "I wish they were back with me, but can't be. So I'll just have to enjoy it for all of us," Spicer said.Prince Johnson served during the Vietnam War. He knows it's a time to let the tears fly. "Basically a time to get those feelings out. I've got a few friends on the wall," Johnson said. Honor Flight is also about ceremony. We witnessed that with the high fives, hugs and bagpipes during the early morning sendoff at CVG. And the choir that greeted our local Honor Flight when they landed at Reagan National in Northern Virginia across the Potomac from our nation's capital. Click the media player at the top of the page to watch the full story.It's also a day away from life's daily grind. For some, family time with a son or daughter.Vietnam veteran Richard DuMont was accompanied by his son. "I think it's a real treat. Unexpected," DuMont said. "I didn't know I was going to try to do this. I put in for it and because I'm 81. You get chosen pretty quickly." Fellow Vietnam veteran Mike Biere spent the day with his daughter. "It's overwhelming, it really is. Very special. Very different than my reception when I got home from Vietnam," Biere said. From the Iwo Jima Memorial to the waters of the Navy Memorial, Korean War veteran Elise Faye is grateful. "I thank everybody who's responsible for all of this," Faye said. For the first timers, so much is unknown. Until you see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery. The emotion of the memorials for the Korean War, Vietnam, World War II and the Lincoln and FDR memorials as well. Then back to Cincinnati for the welcome home many veterans never got the first time as 4 or 5,000 people backed CVG for a parade of heroes. Honor Flight has been honoring our veterans for 18 years. There are 124 hubs across America including CVG. Cheryl Pop is the CEO for Honor Flight Tri State. Her husband Tom is the COO. They have taken 82 Honor Flights each over the years. They need volunteers to accompany veterans.Those interested can click here to learn more information about becoming a volunteer.The day starts at CVG at 5 a.m. and ends at the same place 16 hours later at 9 p.m., with plenty of indelible memories in between.
Since 2005, Honor Flight has been taking local veterans to Washington D.C., to "honor" those who never made it back home and remember what this country has been through.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to fly along.
Vietnam veteran Richard Kuhlman got emotional at the Vietnam Wall of Remembrance talking about Sgt. Howard Pigg.
"He had 10 days to go and they made him go with us and he got killed on the first day. Ten days and he would have been home," Kuhlman said.
It's a journey wrought with reflection. For 16 hours, time stands still, as 85- veterans — World War 2, Korea, Vietnam — take a breath for those who can't.
Vietnam veteran Albert Genetti says he thinks about our fallen heroes often.
World War II veteran James Spicer feels the same way.
"I wish they were back with me, but can't be. So I'll just have to enjoy it for all of us," Spicer said.
Prince Johnson served during the Vietnam War. He knows it's a time to let the tears fly.
"Basically a time to get those feelings out. I've got a few friends on the wall," Johnson said.
Honor Flight is also about ceremony. We witnessed that with the high fives, hugs and bagpipes during the early morning sendoff at CVG. And the choir that greeted our local Honor Flight when they landed at Reagan National in Northern Virginia across the Potomac from our nation's capital.
Click the media player at the top of the page to watch the full story.
It's also a day away from life's daily grind. For some, family time with a son or daughter.
Vietnam veteran Richard DuMont was accompanied by his son.
"I think it's a real treat. Unexpected," DuMont said. "I didn't know I was going to try to do this. I put in for it and because I'm 81. You get chosen pretty quickly."
Fellow Vietnam veteran Mike Biere spent the day with his daughter.
"It's overwhelming, it really is. Very special. Very different than my reception when I got home from Vietnam," Biere said.
From the Iwo Jima Memorial to the waters of the Navy Memorial, Korean War veteran Elise Faye is grateful.
"I thank everybody who's responsible for all of this," Faye said.
For the first timers, so much is unknown. Until you see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery.
The emotion of the memorials for the Korean War, Vietnam, World War II and the Lincoln and FDR memorials as well. Then back to Cincinnati for the welcome home many veterans never got the first time as 4 or 5,000 people backed CVG for a parade of heroes.
Honor Flight has been honoring our veterans for 18 years. There are 124 hubs across America including CVG.
Cheryl Pop is the CEO for Honor Flight Tri State. Her husband Tom is the COO. They have taken 82 Honor Flights each over the years.
They need volunteers to accompany veterans.
Those interested can click here to learn more information about becoming a volunteer.
The day starts at CVG at 5 a.m. and ends at the same place 16 hours later at 9 p.m., with plenty of indelible memories in between.
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