Supporters welcome Veterans home from Honor Flight to DC

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — Dozens of Veterans arrived from Washington DC for the final Honor Flight of the year on Saturday.

This is the fourth and final Honor Flight bringing back Veterans and their guardians from a day in DC. For 100 local Veterans, their day started at 3 a.m., with a quick flight from Dayton International Airport to the nation’s capital.

Veterans of the Korean, Vietnam and Cold War, along with their guardians, got the opportunity to visit various war memorials and spend the day in DC.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for these men and women who have given to us, that we can give to them,” said Jennifer Landess, Honor Flight volunteer. “It’s not just going and seeing memorials, it’s giving them that opportunity to have closure for themselves.”

Their exciting day ended with a special moment as they returned home to Dayton.

Supporters lined the concourses and terminal at the airport, giving these Veterans the welcome home they deserve. From family and relatives to community members wanting to show support, everyone showed up to give them an incredible welcome back to Dayton.

Many of the Veterans who returned home did not receive the kind of fanfare they had expected — but that’s something that organizers want to change with for these Vets.

“This is what they needed to get originally,” said April Kamentz, community member. “They deserve to have this kind of recognition. I’m really proud of all of them.”

“It’s a huge turnout,” said Kelsey Kamentz, supporter. “I wasn’t expecting it to look like this. I’m just so excited to welcome everybody home together.”

The Honor Flight initiative is completely volunteer-run and organized throughout 122 airports across the nation.

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