Clearwater, Fla. (WFLA) – About 75 veterans took off on honorary flights early Tuesday morning, headed to Washington, D.C., and visited the War Memorial.
This is the 51st honorary flight departing from St. Pete Clearwater International Airport.
Veterans from all branches lined up in the pie and spent an exciting day at DC, which left around 6am, each with a special thanks in the air.
St. Pete Clearwater International Airport has been holding this honorary ticket since 2011, and the airport was originally a hub for training fighter pilots in World War II.
After the war, in 1946, the area was returned to the county for civilian airfields.
The veteran arrived at Pie around 4am and was extremely excited about the special trip.
“That means a lot. I think it’s a great opportunity not just for us, but for all the veterans who have the opportunity,” Gary Bonaduller said.
Gary Bonaduller and his brother Bob both served in the US military together during the Vietnam War.
“I was on the East German border at the time, so Bob was in Vietnam at the same time, so we served overseas at the same time,” Gary said.
They are excited to go on this trip together.
“I can’t explain it, it’s great. I’m happy that we had the opportunity to do this together. It means a lot to both of us,” he said.
While on board, veterans were given a personalized letter thanking them for their service.
Areva Credit Union partnered with the Honor Flight program, whose employees wanted to do something special for the men and women behind our country’s flag.
“I appreciate your service, thank you for your sacrifice, thank you for doing something for me, and you didn’t even know me,” said Areva spokesman Tasha Cohen-Glynn. “If you risk your life, you didn’t know us, I am grateful, I respect you, and God bless you and your family.”
Some say that brave men and women never received them when they got home.
“They don’t have the big welcome house party people got when you went to war.
“It’s just amazing. When we got out of service, we didn’t see anything like this, it was the exact opposite. All of these guys and gals, they deserve this, it’s been postponed for a long time, it’s so happy, I’m so happy about it.”
Everyone is expected to return to the airport at 8:15pm on a Tuesday night.
There will be additional honorary flights in both September and October.
