SAN ANTONIO – A group of 26 World War II and Korean War veterans flew out of San Antonio Friday morning on an honor flight bound for Washington D.C.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"It’s just a real honor to get to go," retired Air Force Maj. Bill Roberts said.
Organizers and volunteers with Honor Flight San Antonio de Valero said they are honored and more than happy to give to back to Friday's honor flight members.
"I realize that the number of us are shrinking, because none of us are getting any younger," Roberts said.
"This generation literally saved our world, so it’s our honor to give back to them. I think all of us, all Americans, every person on this earth, should really be giving back to these guys and gals because they went beyond the call," said Lisa Phillips, founder of Gizmo’s Gift, which assists retired military working dogs.
Phillips accompanied an 8-year-old German shepard, Rambo, who was injured while in U.S. Marine Corps.
This special two-day trip is a small way of saying thank you to those who put their life on the line to protect our country. The Honor Flight organization's goal is to help every veteran in America visit their war memorial. Priority is given to the most senior heroes.
"We're going to the Arlington National Cemetery, Air Force Memorial, Navy Memorial (and the) Iwo Jima Marines Memorial. Then tomorrow, we're going to the biggie: the World War II Memorial," Honor Flight Chair Court Van Sickler said.
"These are the men and women who have served us for 30, 40, 50, 60 years, and for some of them to see the memorial that are dedicated to them for the first time is pretty amazing," said Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas.
For more information or to donate, visit HonorFlightSanAntonio.org.