One of the great ways this country has of celebrating veterans are honor flights. Conducted by nonprofits, which transport veterans from all around the country to Washington D.C. war memorials, the flights come at zero cost to men and women in their life after military service. They are done solely out of a desire to show appreciation and pay respect to those who served.
In Kansas City this week, veterans who participated in the Heartland Honor Flights to visit the World War II memorial, among other monuments, got together for a reunion. More than 100 veterans arrived to discuss their service in various conflicts, including WWII and Vietnam.
Jimmy Halley, a U.S. Navy veteran, told KMBC News how "We set up on the poop deck and with field glasses, we watched General MacArthur and the Japanese all sign the treaty." Halley's stories are so interesting that even young children, usually apathetic, can't help but listen. "My grandkids are (interested)," he said. "They all get around the table and want to listen and they usually don't listen."
Veterans nationwide participated in the honor flights. Ed Parks of Gainesville, Ohio told the Gainesville Times that "It was the most impressive thing I ever saw, and it was very emotional. I mean it was tough on us. Everywhere we went, people would shake our hands and tell us how much they appreciated our time and service."