Each year Honor Flight San Diego escorts World War II and Korean War veterans on a round trip flight from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Washington, DC to visit Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, WWII, Lincoln, Korea, Vietnam, USMC, and Air Force memorials, and the National Guard Museum. 

 

On April 29 the program reached a milestone of flying more than 1,500 veterans on their Honor Flight when it departed SAN with 85 senior veterans ages 85-101 years old who served in all branches of the military. The Honor Flight San Diego returned to SAN on May 1.

 

The oldest veteran at 101-years-young was a U.S. Army B-24 pilot in WWII and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his wartime actions. The flight included veterans who landed on the beaches of Normandy, fought in the Battle of Inchon, a pilot who flew 31 combat missions over North Korea, a sailor who served on the USS Midway and two Navy veterans who are best friends from the Korean War. Many of the veterans earned some of the nation's highest military medals including silver and bronze stars, and purple hearts for the wounds sustained in combat. The only woman on the flight was a U.S. Navy Korean-era veteran.

 

We are happy to have a small part of their incredible journey and thank them for their service to our country.