LIVE UPDATES: Dozens of veterans headed to Washington D.C. for Greater Peoria Honor Flight

PEORIA (25News Now) – About 74 veterans and their companions are en route to our nation’s capitol on the 31st Greater Peoria Honor Flight.

Many veterans were excited to leave Peoria International Airport Wednesday morning to see the monuments and memorials and meet their fellow veterans in the community.

According to Greater Peoria Honor Flight, the Honor Flight Network was founded in 2005 by Earl Morse, a retired Air Force Captain, and Jeff Miller, the son of a WWII veteran. Six small planes flew 12 veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Today, there are 140 Honor Flight Network regional hubs across the nation, escorting nearly 250,000 WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans.

The Greater Peoria Honor Flight started in 2013 and has been on 30 flights since then.

For many veterans, this trip serves as the first welcome home celebration since serving.

Craig Eveland, an army veteran who served from 1965 to 1967, including 11 months in Thailand, says this trip will be emotional as he remembers all the others who could not make it home while serving the country.

“The fact that I was fortunate enough to come back, while so many didn’t get to come back, means a lot to me and to those who sacrificed. It will be emotional, no doubt,” said Eveland.

Eveland said he is excited about the welcome back from his loved ones and the Central Illinois community.

The 31st Greater Peoria Honor Flight will return to Peoria International Airport around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, community members are encouraged to join in welcoming home the veterans.

5:45 a.m. CST: Veterans and guests arrive at Peoria International Airport

6:30 a.m. CST: The Greater Peoria Honor Flight departs for Washington D.C.

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