Community honors Honor Flight veterans

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Honor Flight VII took off from Mobile Regional Airport Wednesday morning.

The South Alabama Veterans Council and Honor Flight-South Alabama arranged the charter flight to take about 90 World War II Veterans on a one day trip to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

Hundreds of people packed Mobile Regional Airport Wednesday night as Honor Flight VII returned, just before 8 p.m.

Among the crowds were Patriot Guard Riders, Azalea Trail Maids, and St. Paul’s Band just to name a few.

Veterans who returned from the trip said it was an emotional experience.

“Just look at all the people, you know. I’m just one man,” said one Honor Flight Veteran.

“WelI, have never seen the World War II Memorial and that was just fantastic,” said another WWII Vet.

The Honor Flight, sponsored by Eastern Shore Toyota, helps ensure all veterans are able to visit their National Monument.

“It was just a great day all day long,” said Eastern Shore Toyota Owner Shawn Esfahani. “But it climaxed when we got back home to Mobile and quite frankly I just couldn’t stop crying.”

This is the second to last flight for WWII veterans through the Honor Flight Program.