Honor Flight Network celebrates flying 250K veterans to Washington
The organization has been welcoming veterans to the capital since 2005
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Veterans, dignitaries and volunteers gathered Tuesday at the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., to mark the Honor Flight Network bringing its 250,000th veteran to the nation’s capital.
The organization has been bringing veterans to Washington since 2005 by welcoming them to share in a day of honor at America’s memorials.
During the ceremony, speakers such as former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., took the stage to commemorate the milestone.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Bob Dole's widow, in an interview celebrating the Honor Flight Network. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News)
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Dole, a former North Carolina Republican senator, told Fox News the special connection she and her husband, the late Bob Dole, had to the Honor Flight Network.
Supporters cheering and celebrating from the sidelines. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News)
"My husband for 14 years came down here to the World War II memorial every Saturday to meet with the veterans coming in from honor flights. And often he would get on the bus and say hello to them before they even got off," she shared.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dole added, "We think this is one of the finest programs we ever had, and it continues to make such a huge difference to so many people."
Viewers with signs cheering veterans on. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News)
The nonprofit's CEO, Meredith Rosenbeck, shared how the journey and time spent in D.C. has given veterans the opportunity to share stories about their service.
"The time at the memorials, the time at the bus, the time on the plane, they share their stories with others that understand what they’ve been through," Rosenback shared.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A veteran walking during the Honor Flight Network celebration. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News)
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The Honor Flight Network has accompanied over 240,000 veterans of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam on all-expenses-paid excursions.
Veterans sharing a day of honor at America’s memorials. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Korean War veteran Ernie Molina expressed his gratitude for the program, sharing with Fox News, "They didn’t have to do it, but they volunteered to do it and I just can’t thank them enough."
Veterans pushed during celebrations in Washington, D.C. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News)
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U.S. Park Police announced Monday it would return to escorting veterans taking part in excursions after suspending police escort services in 2020.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The services will resume June 1, according to the Department of the Interior and Honor Flight Network.