Heartland Honor Flight takes off with 140 area veterans

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Freedom is not free. Today those who fought for our freedom were given a special trip to our nation’s capital. Before sunrise, 140 Veterans of the Kansas City Metro gathered at KCI for the annual Heartland Honor Flight.

It was an epic journey to our nation’s capital for the day, but for many on the trip, it was an honor long overdue.

“I feel very fortunate I was asked to come on this,” said Fred Hilton.

“I think it’s fantastic, it’s great, this is my first time,” said Gilbert Garrett

“It was a long time coming for us,” Ted Howard.

It’s now their turn, today’s Honor Flight welcomes a new generation of veterans.

“Today is about Vietnam Veterans and a couple of Korean veterans,” John Doole, President of Heartland Honor Flight.

A day to be spent at our nation’s capital, touring the memorials built in their honor and paying respects to fellow fallen service members.

“I think to go and see all the monuments of the different wars and tomb of the unknown soldier is fantastic I love it,” said Garrett.

“This is kind of the epitome of my military career getting to come to something like this,” said Hilton.

For all the veterans on board Wednesday’s flight, it’s the first time they’ve been celebrated.

Back when Vietnam and Korean Veterans returned home from war, they were overlooked and mistreated.

The Korean War is even known as the Forgotten War.

“Spitting on us and calling us names,” recalled Tom Landis.

“We weren’t really respected for what we did,” said Howard.

“They had a very bad welcoming it wasn’t even a welcoming,” said Doole.

Today that all changes, their tribute comes in flight, in journey and of course, when they come home.

“We hope to have you know three or four thousand people here, we need as many people as possible out here to welcome them and give them a big parade of sorts,” said Doole.

Their flight lands at 9:15 p.m. and everyone is invited to a grand homecoming.

Doole also added Heartland Honor Flight is looking for World War Two Veterans. If you are interested or know someone who is, you can apply here.

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