EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT)- It’s been nearly a week since 86 Veterans took the trip of a lifetime with the Honor Flight of Southern Indiana. Eyewitness News’ Hannah Haerle was on that flight to capture the stories and moments that each veteran will remember for years to come.
A day that would be full of emotion and honor started in the early hours of the morning. There were jitters and excitement for some-and feelings that couldn’t be explained, for others. “It’s a bunch of mixed emotions. It’s really hard to say, but I’m ready to go,” said one veteran. Those inexplicable feelings were a theme for many veterans throughout the day as they received an excited send-off by family, friends, volunteers, and city leaders. The veterans were greeted in our nation’s capital by a water salute and strangers, who our veterans quickly realized are grateful Americans welcoming them home. The itinerary was packed full of sights, many of which the veterans had never seen, and visiting the memorials built in their honor.
The first stop– the World War II memorial. It was a sight especially notable–for one veteran who served in that very war. “It’s very somber. It brings back a lot of memories. It’s just mind-boggling. WWII memorial meant a lot to me because there aren’t many of us left….. I consider myself young,” says WWII army veteran Herbert Jankins. Next were the Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam memorials- each holding a different meaning and resurfacing forgotten feelings. Some veterans remembering times of service, “There’s a guy on the bus with me and we got to reminisce about the crap we used to do together,” said vietnam army veteran, loren dixon. For others, it allowed them to visit old friends. “It brings back a lot of memories. I have fellow soldiers on the wall, and I got to visit them. It’s been great,” said Vietnam Army veteran Charles Stewart. For most, it was a feeling of honor and gratitude which they so rightfully deserve– for the first time. “I had some Korean kids come up to me and thank me for what I did in Korea.…. So that was special,” said Korea Navy veteran Donald Woods…