Local Vietnam Veteran Has First Look At Memorial in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — It’s a happy “welcome home” for veterans on the latest honor flight to Washington, D.C.

They just landed around 7 o’clock tonight at Hector International and were immediately bussed over to Fargodome due to construction parking issues.

Hundreds of people were there to greet our war heroes with homemade signs, hugs and even live music.

This was the 20th local veteran honor flight trip.

Before their return home, they spent the morning at the Korean and Vietnam war memorials.

It was an early rowdy morning for these veterans, the days were filled with laughter, sorrow, and tears.

“When I was in the service I went to Washington DC back in 1968 when I was stationed up in Fort Monmouth New Jersey. My wife and me came down here, but none of this stuff existed back then. And my best friend from high school was killed in Vietnam and I’m really anxious to see his name on the memorial for Vietnam.”

Harlan Jones served in the U.S. Army as a photographic darkroom specialist from 1969 till he was discharged in 1970 in Vietnam. Although having visited DC long ago, this was his first time reuniting with his family.

“Well, it hurts but it helps too. It’s like he was really close to me and it’s kind of a closure. You know I’ve waited a long time for this.”

Of the one hundred and one veterans on the honor flight, eighty six served in Vietnam.

“I didn’t really get out in the field because I was working in the lab but you know I saw some pictures you know sometimes they would be a little gruesome not many of them. Most of them were just common action pictures.”

Today, Jones receives disability benefits from being exposed to Agent Orange. And he now enjoys his retirement with his hobby of photography and reading books.

As the day closes, their honor flight journey continues with each other.