SPOKANE, Wash. — Around ninety local veterans departed Spokane Tuesday morning for Washington D.C. to visit memorials and monuments dedicated to their service through the Inland Northwest Honor Flight program.
The organization transports veterans to the nation’s capital at no cost for what many describe as an incredibly emotional journey. The group departed on at 9 a.m. after pre-departure ceremonies that began at 6:30 a.m. in the Alaska Airlines ticketing area at Spokane International Airport.
Among the travelers is Randy Behrens, an Army veteran making the journey alongside his three brothers and son.
“I am going to get to meet and talk with people that in many respects have shared my experiences, but I have never been able to do that much so I am looking forward to that,” Behrens said.
Glenn Knight, another Army veteran who served as a medic on dust-off helicopters during the Vietnam War, also joined the flight. Throughout the war, his team helped transport 900,000 troops.
“Other people had told me how great of an experience it is and helps to heal some wounds,” Knight said.
While some veterans have visited the monuments before, they say experiencing them with fellow service members creates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The group includes one Korean War veteran and 90 Vietnam veterans.
The veterans will return Wednesday evening on Allegiant Flight 4902, arriving at 7:30 p.m. at the main terminal ticketing area. The public is invited to welcome them home and give them their deserved recognition.
You can learn more about the Inland Northwest Honor Flight here.
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