Honor Flight Chicago marks milestone, with 100th flight taking veterans to see memorials in D.C.
CHICAGO (CBS)-- It's a big day for some veterans from the Chicago area, who boarded the 100th Honor Flight Chicago trip to and from Washington, D.C.
CBS 2's Asal Rezaei reports veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War from Chicago and surrounding communities flew to the nation's capital Wednesday morning, free of charge, to visit the national memorials to the wars they fought.
It's an extra special experience for veterans from all branches of the military, getting to take this one day trip to see what Washington, D.C., has to offer.
For some veterans, it's the trip of a lifetime.
"Very excited to be on this flight, the 100th flight, honored too," said Army veteran Ziggy Bejger, Jr.
Their patriotism and bravery is being recognized with an Honor Flight.
"It's a great feeling; real good," said Vietnam War veteran Phil Trattner.
More than anything, these Army veterans are happy to be in each other's company.
"It's nice to travel with the veterans. It's always comfortable to be around fellow vets," said Vietnam War veteran Gary Bonaguidi.
It's the type of recognition this he said is a long time coming.
"It's nice for the Vietnam veterans, because they didn't get much of a welcome. And now it's a nice thing," he said.
It's an all-expenses-paid one-day trip to D.C., where veterans can explore national memorials together.
"This is for all the veterans that are serving now. This is for all the ones that passed and made everything safe for us. So this is for them also," Bejger said.
"This is great, all the volunteers … makes you feel good," said Army veteran Rodney McKee.
After their jam-packed day for the veterans in D.C., they'll fly back to Chicago, scheduled to land back here at Midway International Airport by 8:15 p.m.
To date, more than 9,000 veterans have made the trip to D.C. from Chicago with Honor Flight Chicago.
