LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Sunday was a homecoming to remember for a group of Korean and Vietnam veterans after the nonprofit organization, Honor Flight Southern Nevada escorted them on a trip to Washington D.C.

Thirty-five veterans visited places several historic spots including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial.

The organization holds the trip twice a year with this being their 23rd mission.

Phil Krieger with Honor Flight Southern Nevada was pleased with the turnout on Sunday as nearly 150 people welcomed the veterans back home to Las Vegas, cheering them on with signs and pom poms in hand.

“We’ve taken over 660 veterans to D.C. Most of them were Vietnam Vets and were reluctant to go, but you’ll see when they come back, they will have tears in their eyes,” Krieger added.

Vietnam Vet, Gregg Schiffbauer who served in the Army for six years said he never experienced a homecoming quite like this.

“All the memorials we went to and the monuments we saw were amazing. The way that we were treated and greeted was far different than 50 years ago,” Schiffbauer shared.

Family members shared with 8 News Now that this was a trip of a lifetime for the veterans and an opportunity they will forever cherish.

“It was unexpected. We applied and we got the call right away that he was admitted,” Tim O’Rourke said.

Honor Flight Southern Nevada has been operating for 12 years, and each Veteran must be escorted by a guardian. There is no paid staff, and it’s completely run by volunteers. Their next trip is set for October. 

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