Central Valley veterans leave on 21st Honor Flight to Washington, DC

After greater than two years of pandemic delays, the Central Valley Honor Flight took off from Fresno Yosemite Worldwide Airport this morning for its twenty first journey.

“Lastly, lastly,” exclaimed Sheldon Yost. “It is an excellent honor.”

Sixty-three veterans, together with Yost, could have the chance to go to their battle monuments – a solution to honor their service and sacrifice.

“My abroad excursions have been in Greenland, Hawaii, Guam and Vietnam,” stated Yost, a Vietnam Conflict vet. “I spent two years in Space 51.”

The group additionally consists of those that served within the Korean Conflict and World Conflict II.

The oldest veteran on the Honor Flight is 100-year-old Gilbert Shares, who shared his expertise as a navy pilot in World Conflict II.

“From there, I went to San Diego, operational coaching. From there, I went to Hawaii for operational coaching. From there, I went to Okinawa, lastly, I received a squadron. The battle was over then,” recalled Shares.

The three-day journey is a time for the vets to share their experiences with others and honor those that did not make it again dwelling to their family members — or to D.C.

“Sadly, with this two-and-a-half-year pause, we had 25 veterans go away, which is so unhappy,” stated journey chief Joe Fry. “We’ll be honoring them with a Flags of our Heroes.”

The journey to D.C. is without charge to the veterans. The Honor Flight Community stated it is the generosity of the Central Valley that makes all of it attainable.

“They understand we would not have our freedom with out these 63 gents and what so many others did,” stated Paul Loeffler, president of the Central Valley Honor Flight.

The Honor Flight returns Wednesday night. Organizers invite the general public to return out to the airport round 5 p.m. and welcome the vets dwelling.

When you or a veteran in your life would really like to enroll in a future Honor Flight, click on right here.