Hundreds of people from across the El Paso community came out Saturday to welcome home veterans returning from a Rio Grande Honor Flight.
Families, active-duty military members, city and county representatives, and local high school students gathered at the airport to show their appreciation. Several schools brought bands, cheerleaders, and JROTC members to help welcome the veterans home.
The Rio Grande Honor Flight gives veterans the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to visit national memorials built in their honor.
Luther Jones, veteran program coordinator for the City of El Paso, said the program gives veterans an opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to their service before receiving the welcome home they deserve.
“The honor flight is where we take our World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans; we fly them out to Washington, D.C., so they can see the memorials there in their honor. And then we bring them back and give them the welcome home that they deserve.”
The airport was filled with cheers, American flags, signs, and messages of appreciation as the veterans returned home.
Jones said the community’s support also sends an important message to younger generations.
“It just shows that this community supports and it shows the younger kids that if they think about joining the military in the future, that El Paso is a community that welcomes them with open arms.”
The Rio Grande Honor Flight provides veterans with an opportunity to reflect on their service, visit memorials dedicated to their sacrifices, and return home to a community ready to thank them.
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