Honor Flight Arizona takes 31 veterans on trip of a lifetime

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Ten times a year, Honor Flight Arizona flies veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the monuments. It's a time to reflect, reconnect, and most importantly, say thank you.

"It's a life-changing trip for them, and we could not be happier to do this for them, and so we will do this for as long as we can," said Karen.

Today's group are all veterans of the Korean War, or what many have called "The Forgotten War," and that's what leaders say fuels the passion behind this honor flight.

"For them to get the accolades that they do, the cheering, the meeting the kids, having people shake their hands, it brings tears to their eyes," Karen said.

Bill, a Korean War veterans, is on today's flight, and he says the best part is being able to share such a special experience with his son, Steve.

"I'm so happy, I can't even think because my memory is gone and I have to rely on him to help me," he said.

Steve says he's honored to join his dad and the 30 other veterans on the three-day trip to the nation's capital, adding he can't wait to see his father's face when he sees the monuments.

"It'll be nice for him to be around people who were there at the same time he was," he said. "Just being able to see the monuments, it's going to be exciting to see what his reaction is going to be."