JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly two dozen veterans flew to the nation’s capital Saturday morning as a part of the First Coast Honor Flight.
The morning started with an escort of respect for 21 veterans through the Jacksonville International Airport before departing to Washington D.C. to visit several memorials.
Recommended Videos
World War II Navy Veteran Bill Speer, 97, made the special trip.
“In the Navy, I thought I was going to see the world. Go and see the world,” Speer said. “It feels like family. One big happy family.”
They spent the day visiting places like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the several different war memorials at The Mall, and even Arlington National Cemetery.
Candace Mabry, the organization’s president, said this was the fifth flight since 2020.
“Bless our Vietnam war veterans. They were told to not wear their uniform when they got back stateside. Rocks were thrown at them. They were called baby killers. To see their faces when we go through the airport and they are being honored, it brings tears to my eyes,” Mabry said.
RELATED | First Coast Honor Flight sends local veterans to Washington D.C. for special honor
Kenneth Wall and Frank Consentino served in the Navy during the Korean and Vietnam War periods.
They have become good friends.
“At the time that I joined, we were pretty well into Korea, and I thought that it was my duty as a United States citizen to put myself out and going into the military,” Wall said.
They are glad they got to share this experience with other fellow veterans.
“I grew up in a military family. It was just understood that we would go into the military and serve our country, and happily so,” Consentino said.
Many people stood in line with smiles on their faces to send these veterans off and say thank you.
“It is an overwhelming feeling. I think seeing everybody come together to celebrate the veterans and all they do for our country. I think it is super important and it was really heartwarming,” Emily Martinez said.
After the trip, all of the veterans will have a reunion in three weeks to recap the flight and share their experiences.
The ball for the next flight is already rolling. It is scheduled for Sept. 21.