First-ever Juneteenth honor flight recognizes Black veterans with trip to D.C.

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — More than two dozen Black veterans whose military service spans World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War traveled to Washington, D.C., Wednesday on the first-ever honor flight to commemorate Juneteenth at war memorials and monuments.

The group of black veterans are making history once again.

“They played a role in every war,” said veteran Mose Rayford.

Mose Rayford, a Marine veteran, made the trip from Georgia.

“Some of these things are coming in late, just like Juneteenth did,” Rayford said.

On the flight up, veteran Vernon Hickman said something in the cockpit stood out to him.

“First time that I have flown on a plane that the captain, the first officer were both Black,” said Hickman.

Vernon and his fellow veterans braved the 90-degree weather to visit war memorials and monuments in the nation’s capital.

Vernon said the heat was nothing compared to the sacrifices these brave Americans made.

“When you’re called on to serve your country, you in fact do that,” Hickman said.

For many of the veterans it was their first time seeing some of the war memorials.

“I’ve seen pictures of it before, but I never visited here,” said veteran Michael Gaines.

Gaines says he is honored his service is being recognized.

“It’s long overdue. Black veterans were not recognized for their service. What they had to endure when they came back from rendering that service,” Gaines said.

Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has hosted nearly 300,000 veterans on flights and tours of Washington, D.C.’s landmarks.

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