The world would not be the same without our Veterans, our country would be on a very separate path without them fighting for our country. The event that I will be talking about today is called the Honor Flight. I will be sharing the history, meaning, and the way this event has impacted veterans, and normal people’s lives. Veterans all deserve handshakes, cheers, and thankyou’s, and the honor flight gives Veterans who haven’t gotten that attention that they very well need and deserve.

       The first ever honor flight took place in, May 2005 when six small planes flew 72 veterans to Washington D.C. Over the years, more and more people have participated in the honor flight. An Honor Flight is conducted by non-profit organizations dedicated to transporting as many United States military veterans as possible to see the memorials located in Washington D.C. the trip is of no cost to any of the Veterans. The trip is filled with appreciation, tributes, memories, gratitude, and happy and sad tears for all who participate.

     This year the honor flight took place on May 21^st, and that Honor Flight celebrated their 14th Anniversary. As you have already heard the first honor flight took 72 veterans, but since then

numbers of people wanting to participate has gotten larger and larger instead of smaller planes, the veterans fly in commercial airplanes. Ever since they started the honor flights, 225,000 veterans have gone to Washington, D.C. since 2010. Overall, the Veterans loved and still love the honor flight and the handshakes and appreciation they receive when they participate.

      The honor flight means a lot to many veterans in all different branches and ages. The Honor flight allows veterans to feel like they are appreciated and thanked for all their work. Some veterans have been hated and had stuff thrown at them for just wearing their uniforms or hats. The honor flight gives them the opportunity to feel appreciated and gives them the opportunity to also thank their fallen soldiers who have died, possibly alongside them.

     The memorials they visit on his flight are a crucial, emotional, part of the event. The memorials they visit are visits to the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall, Marine Corps War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. They get to look at the memorials of a war they might have fought in, and possible visit a grave of a friend or family member who fought with or before them. The memorial visit is very emotional for some people, because they get to look back at the people and the war itself that they fought in.