San Diego veterans welcomed home after taking Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

After spending the weekend in our nation’s capital, nearly 100 local veterans were welcomed home at Terminal 2 at the San Diego International Airport on Sunday. Dozens of people packed the baggage claim area to cheer for the veterans as they descended the escalator.

“This is so much better than when I came home in ’73,” said Jim Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. “If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same,” Johnson added.

Richard McClure shared the same experience with Johnson, having served in the Vietnam War in the U.S. Air Force. McClure said while he is grateful to be back home in San Diego with his friends and family after the trip, it was an experience he will never forget.

“It was unbelievable, it changed my life. It really changed my life,” said McClure. “I know I’m standing on the shoulders of other vets that have gone before me and I really appreciate them,” McClure added.

This was Honor Flight San Diego’s first Honor Flight of the year. The organization was founded in 2010 as part of a larger, national network that was first founded in 2005. During that time, more than 2,200 local veterans have traveled to Washington, D.C. across 32 flights. Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of veterans have made that same journey.

“Seeing that all these veterans ahead of me sacrificed so much, it really touched my heart,” said McClure.

Honor Flight San Diego is funded entirely by donations and operated by volunteer staff. There is another flight scheduled for September. More details can be found on the Honor Flight San Diego website.