Early this morning 90 WWII and Korean War Veterans from all over the Upstate flew from GSP International Airport on the 14th Honor Flight with US Airways through Honor Flight Upstate.

A charter flight takes the Veterans to Washington, DC so that they can see and experience their WWll Memorial, as well as a tour of DC and visits to the Korean, Vietnam, and Iwo Jima memorials, plus other monuments. The Veterans are special guests at Arlington Cemetery and observe the Changing of The Guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.

Veterans do not pay anything to take part in the one-day trip. In fact, today’s Honor flight was made possible by the generous support of Travelers Rest High School students, who raised thousands of dollars for today’s flights and the others coming up in 2015.  Joining the Veterans are “Guardians” who pay $500 for the honor to serve as caretakers for the Vets during the trip.

The goal of Honor Flight of SC is to provide an opportunity for every WWll Veteran in South Carolina who has never had a chance to visit their Memorial an opportunity to do so. Check out the photos from photojournalist Heidi Heilbrunn who is documenting their journey here. You can also see more photos from their trip on the GSP Facebook page tomorrow!

Please join us in the terminal tonight at 8:00pm for the Welcoming Home Ceremony. The Honor Flight lands at 8:10pm, and we would like to give the Veterans a hero’s welcome.

Safe travels,

– The Terminal