Veterans honored with trip to D.C.
World War II veterans joined Korean War and Vietnam War servicemen Saturday for an all-expensepaid trip to Washington, D.C., courtesy of Hudson Valley Honor Flight.
A nonprofit group based in Walden, Hudson Valley Honor Flight honors Hudson Valley veterans by bringing them to the U.S. capital so they can visit their respective war memorials at no cost to them or their families.
They departed from Stewart International Airport in New Windsor early Saturday morning and returned in the evening.
While the nation’s capital had been plagued by cold weather the past several weeks, veterans were greeted Saturday by a blue skies and comfortable temperature.
George Fisher of New Paltz, who spent time in both the Army and Navy reserves at the height of the Korean War, said he was excited and grateful to be taking part in the day’s program.
“It’s been like a dream,” he said. “I never thought they would take care of us the way they did. The time I spent in the service made a better person out of me, made me more mature than I was before, and it physically got me in shape.”
Anthony Trovato, a veteran from Nanuet, was part of the Northeast Air Command during the Korean War. He was overwhelmed by everyone’s appreciation for the heroes of yesteryear.
“I’m honored,” he said. “It feels like you really mean something in life. I remember during the Cold War, how dangerous a situation that was. That could have been the start of World War III.”
After landing at Reagan National Airport, veterans visited the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials in Washington, and Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
This was the 18th Hudson Valley Honor Flight. The trips alternate departure points between Stewart International Airport and Westchester County Airport at White Plains.