News : Honor Flights bringing communities together, changing way Americans see DC

Vinton vets Jay Bolin, Milton Smith, Burt Davis & Jim Peterson with guardians at Iwo Jima memorial.

Ground Crew member Karen Rippe and others welcome WWII vets to DC.

Jim Peterson reads thank-yous from students on return flight to CR.

While in the Navy, Jim Peterson saw Iwo Jima in the spring of 1945.

Eastern Iowa WWII vets pose for a photo at the WWII Memorial on Tuesday.

John Sealock of Vinton, seen here at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Area veterans watch the changing of the guard at Arlington.

The veterans saw many of the famous war memorials in Washington, D.C., during the Honor Flight.

Jay Bolin is welcomed to Washington, D.C. by a Ground Crew volunteer.

'Donut Girl' Lindsay Hand with Vinton vets as the Honor Flight day begins Tuesday morning.

James Peterson and guardian Chris Kivett-Berry at the WWII Memorial.

Dale Speckner of Shellsburg, with guardian Cheryl Bock.

Burt Davis gets a kiss from wife Geri at the end of his Honor Flight journey.

Veterans line up for a photo at the WWII Memorial.

Several women, including Florence Thomas, were among this group of WWII Honor Flight veterans.

It started when a guy with a pilot's license decided to fly a couple of friends to see the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C.

Now, the Honor Flight movement is bringing communities together all over the country, and changing the way countless Americans see the memorials of Washington, D.C.

What you will see if you spend a day with an Honor Flight:

You will see strangers -- people of every age from every part of the country -- walking up to WWII veterans they have never met, giving them a handshake or even a kiss on the cheek and saying, "Thank you for your service."

You will see dozens of children -- in Washington, D.C., to learn about America and its history -- gathered around a WWII veteran, listening as he tells them about places that up until now, they have only read about in a textbook.

You will see WWII veterans -- the youngest of them in their early 80s -- moved to tears as they hear words of gratitude.

You will hear them talk about their experiences, and how the war changed their lives. You will see them honor their own heroes, and remember those who served with them 60 years ago.

I spent the day on Tuesday with the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. Five Vinton veterans, Jim Peterson, Milton Smith, Burton Davis, Jay Bolin and John Sealock, were among the more than 90 from Eastern Iowa who flew to Washington, D.C. for the day-long trip. At least two other Honor Flight groups were also in DC on Tuesday, one from northern Iowa and one from central Illinois.

The veterans and their guardians met at the Eastern Iowa Airport early Tuesday morning and left the airport after midnight. They saw the monuments: WWII, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, Korea, Arlington. They received letters from family, friends and Iowa school children. Along the way, they made new friends, caught up with old friends, and heard countless words of thanks. They stood at the grave of one of their heroes: Audie Murphy, the most-decorated soldier of World War II.

Over the next few days, I will be sharing some of their stories, and photos of what I saw these veterans experience. But as you read them, remember: There are a lot more WWII veterans who have not yet made the trip. There are more flights honoring more veterans coming soon. The organization continues to do what it can to help honor our WWII veterans, and it still relies on volunteers and donations from countless people to make their mission a success.