The latest Honor Flight of the Quad Cities left Thursday morning from Moline. A group of anxious and excited veterans started trickling into the airport very early to board a plane for Washington D.C.
This was the fifteenth Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. About 90 veterans in all, mainly those that served WWII. It's the trip of a lifetime to see their memorial. For many of them it's the first and only time they'll have the opportunity. "It's going to be exciting, going to be emotional, going to be a tremendous sight," said Dick Roling, a veteran from Galesburg.
Some, like Roling and his friend Jim Meyer, have familiar faces along for the trip. It's also reminiscent of their experiences decades ago in the service. "With all these people here it's like being back in the Army," said Meyer.
"We extend stories with each other... what we've done, where we were and what we did during the war," added Roling.
Other's have stories of who they may have lost along the way. "I want to see that monument and put my finger on my brother's name," said Marvin Wemken from Rockford.
"You have to realize that some of these folks have been burying this stuff inside for 60 or 70 years," said Bob Morrison, Director of Honor Flight of the Quad Cities.
Dozens were there to send them off: friends, family, even strangers who were lining a path with flags all the way to airport security. "I think they're going to be almost in another world," said Sandra Glattley, there to send off her husband.
"I was very impressed with all the flags lined up when they went through security, that was very impressive," said Sandra Blackert, also sending off her husband.
Organizers say though, not enough can be done for what they call the "greatest generation."
"It's like they're coming home again. They're getting acknowledged for what they did, or what happened. And if it wasn't for them our country would not be the same today that's for sure," added Morrison.
This group will bring the count to about 1,500 of our local veterans that Honor Flight of the Quad Cities has sent to the Capitol since 2008.
