Local men participate in Honor Flight

Local Vietnam Veterans Tony Abstetar and Jerry Johnson participated in a Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, Mission #48 on October 3-5. They were included in a group of 30 veterans and 30 guardians who assisted the veterans on a tour to Washington, D.C. They said it was a "once in a lifetime experience." 

Vietnam veterans Abstetar served in 1967-1971 as an E-5 and Johnson also served in 1970-1972 as an E-4.

The flight is to honor all veterans and give them the opportunity to visit many monuments and war memorials, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They also participated in a special dinner. Veterans from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Desert Storm participated. 

The airports made announcements of the veterans and from their first stop at the airport in Denver and to their stop in Baltimore, the veterans were greeted by crowds of 300 to 500 people who acknowledged them with applause. Southwest Airlines handed out little flags to everybody. There was also a motorcycle group there with vests on at their restaurant who presented full colors.

To participate in future Honor Flights, veterans can apply online at https://www.honorflight.org/how-to-apply/.