Area War Veterans Return from “Honor Flight” to Washington D.C.

About 60 people boarded a plane Tuesday morning, bound for the nation’s capital. The “Honor Flight” takes veterans to Washington D.C. so that they can see the memorials around the area that are dedicated to their war service. The group returned the same day to a large crowd at the Columbus Metropolitan Airport. The veterans were acoompanied by healthcare professionals. Among those travelling was Columbus Technical College health sciences instructor Kellie Byrd. “These men and women and that entire generation sacrificed more than any of us know. Our freedom today is due to their bravery,” Byrd said. “Even though most of the veterans we will fly with need help going up stairs, support while walking or need a wheelchair, they were once young men and woman who bravely served this country and I find it an honor to serve them for a day.” Program Manager and surgical technology instructor Carl Sandy is a veteran himself and had similar reasons for making the trip.
“I am truly honored and blessed to be a guardian on the Honor Flight. To be around these veterans as they visit their memorials will further deepen my appreciation for the great sacrifices that they, and their fallen comrades, have made for the future of our country,” Sandy said.
The one-day tour included the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam and Korean Memorials, Iwo Jima, Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of Unknowns.