People from all over south Florida flocked to the Palm Beach International Airport on Saturday for a welcome home celebration that many WWII and Korean War veterans never received during their service.
Organizers say the Honor Flight is designed to bring local veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect on their service and sacrifices, but Saturday's trip also gave their loved ones a reason to celebrate.
"The love we had today is from the whole country, and I got to tell you I can't imagine it not being like this, not having the love we have today," one veteran said.
The Southeast Florida Honor Flight paid tribute to 82 WWII and Korean War veterans with an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. For many, it was trip down memory lane.
"While I was situated on the demilitarized zone, and I was in a bunker looking over the zone for 12 months. So, what does it mean to me?" another veteran recalled. "It makes me remember travel over there and traveling back."
But this time many are calling it a trip of a lifetime.
"All day long they just waited on me hand and foot, showed me everything. It was super great!"
The next scheduled Honor Flight for Southeast Florida will be on May19.