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A 72-vet salute: Largest-ever Honor Flight group welcomed home after trip to Washington, D.C.

Dozens of local veterans received a hero’s welcome home Wednesday night as they safely returned to the Central Coast from a once-in-a-lifetime Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

More than 1,000 people gathered at the Santa Maria Airport to greet the returning veterans, including an honor guard, numerous servicemembers in uniform, a barbershop quartet and even Girl Scouts giving out cookies.

“It was incredible, jammed inside and out,” Honor Flight Central Coast board member Maggie Cox said. “(They) made a pathway for the veterans when they returned and it extended the entire length of the building. Five and six people deep.”

World War II veteran Bill Livingston, 96, and guardian Beth Newell, his niece, are saluted by law enforcement officers as hundreds of supporters, families and friends turned out at the Santa Maria Airport on Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023, to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.
World War II veteran Bill Livingston, 96, and guardian Beth Newell, his niece, are saluted by law enforcement officers as hundreds of supporters, families and friends turned out at the Santa Maria Airport on Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023, to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. Steve David

The Honor Flight takes local veterans on a tour to the nation’s capital, where they visit and reflect at the memorials built to honor their service. It began in 2014 and to date has flown 491 veterans at no cost to them.

This year’s trip was the first-ever charter Honor Flight, organizers said, with a record-breaking 72 veterans participating.

Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast salute the Iwo Jima statue and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast salute the Iwo Jima statue and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Steve David

And more still have yet to go.

According to organizers, more than 350 veterans — including some who served in World War II or the Korean War — are “waiting to go on their Tour of Honor,” according to the website.

Wayne Perez and Vincent Garcia point out a name on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the Honor Flight tour on Apri. 25, 2023.
Wayne Perez and Vincent Garcia point out a name on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the Honor Flight tour on Apri. 25, 2023. Steve David

Veterans, guardians and volunteers left from the Santa Maria Airport on Monday morning to much aplomb, including a water cannon shooting over the plane that would take them to their destination.

According to Cox, this year’s flight included three brothers: one who served in Korea, and the other two in Vietnam, along with a female lieutenant colonel who served in both Vietnam and the Middle East. Of the 72 participants, two were World War II veterans, four were Korean War veterans and 66 were Vietnam War veterans.

“The trip was very fulfilling, emotional and it was very intense,” said Armando Moreno, a 76-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam. “I’m so happy and just grateful for the opportunity to participate in something as giving as this program.”

Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com

During the trip, several of the veterans also were able to present a wreath at an emotional changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Air Force veteran Mo Masson, right, poses for a photo with an employee at the Women’s Military Museum in Washington, D.C., during the Honor Flight tour on Apri. 25, 2023.
Air Force veteran Mo Masson, right, poses for a photo with an employee at the Women’s Military Museum in Washington, D.C., during the Honor Flight tour on Apri. 25, 2023. Steve David

Honor Flight Central Coast relies solely upon donations to be able to pay to transport and house its participating veterans. For more information on the organization or how to donate, visit honorflightccc.org.

An Honor Flight participant from the Central Coast takes a photo of the Iwo Jima statue and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
An Honor Flight participant from the Central Coast takes a photo of the Iwo Jima statue and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast pose in front of the Iwo Jima statue and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast pose in front of the Iwo Jima statue and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Steve David
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast gather at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast gather at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Steve David
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast gather at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast gather at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Steve David
Hundreds of supporters, families and friends turned out at the Santa Maria Airport on Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023, to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.
Hundreds of supporters, families and friends turned out at the Santa Maria Airport on Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023, to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. Steve David
Hundreds of supporters, families and friends turned out at the Santa Maria Airport on Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023, to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.
Hundreds of supporters, families and friends turned out at the Santa Maria Airport on Wednesday evening, April 26, 2023, to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. Steve David
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast gather for a group photo in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Honor Flight participants from the Central Coast gather for a group photo in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Steve David

This story was originally published April 27, 2023 at 5:30 AM.

CORRECTION: This story was updated to correct the number of veterans who made the flight.

Corrected Apr 27, 2023

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Kaytlyn Leslie
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Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.
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