Flag City Honor Flight makes 34th mission

FINDLAY — Flag City Honor Flight flew its 34th mission Tuesday. Seventy-nine veterans made the flight to Washington D.C. Each veteran was matched up with a guardian who escorted them throughout flight day to provide a meaningful and safe experience. Flag City Honor Flight is the Findlay hub of Honor Flight Network, a national nonprofit organization that flies veterans free of charge to see their memorials created in their honor. Veterans and their guardians arrived early Tuesday morning at the Toledo Express Airport, boarded the plane for lift-off and heading to Washington D.C. Upon arrival, they boarded buses that transported them to the Marine Corps War Memorial. They next traveled to Arlington National Cemetery where they witnessed the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After driving by the Air Force Memorial, they had lunch at the Navy Memorial before heading to the National Mall to visit the WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The group finally visited the Military Women's Memorial, where they had dinner. The group returned to Grand Aire Hangar late in the evening, where they were welcomed home by hundreds of family members, friends and various civic groups. The final highlight of the day was when each veteran was presented with a "mail call" bag containing letters from friends, family and others expressing gratitude for their service.