LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) -World War Two, Korean and Vietnam War veterans from Southern Nevada returned home to a large and loud crowd at Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday.
FOX5 went along on the Honor Flight Southern Nevada trip, where veterans visited war memorials built for them. They were sent off on Friday morning to clapping and cheering from other travelers at a Southwest Airlines gate. The group flew to Baltimore on “Freedom One,” a plane painted with stars and stripes. The veterans got a water salute while taxing to the gate in Baltimore.
At the gate, veterans were greeted by a large crowd. They clapped, cheered and shook hands with veterans. The clapping continued all the way through the airport down to baggage claim.
“This warmed your heart and made you feel like you’re really home again,” said Vietnam War veteran “Roc” Dickerson.
Dickerson told FOX5 he was part of a small group in Vietnam that would locate enemy fighters and then call in strikes to take them out. He said the welcome in Baltimore wasn’t anything like the reception he got when he returned home from the Vietnam War.
“I got spit on,” said Dickerson.
“It felt good. Many years of waiting but it felt good,” said Vietnam War veteran Michael Morgan.
“It was beautiful. I didn’t expect that. But it was beautiful,” said Korean War veteran Matthew Harville.
Of the 22 veterans on the trip, two were from WWII, four from the Korean War and the rest were Vietnam War veterans.
The group visited several sites on Saturday and then returned home on Sunday. Watch for continuing coverage of the Honor Flight Southern Nevada trip online and on air. Honor Flight Southern Nevada is a non-profit, where veterans don’t pay for their trip to tour war memorials. You can find out more about the group at honorflightsouthernnevada.org.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
