Central Valley Honor Flight takes veterans to Washington, D.C.

It’s the farewell and the welcoming World War II and Korean War veterans from the Central Valley did not receive decades ago: the Honor Flight, a trip to Washington, D.C., and a walk down memory lane.

Most recently, Central Valley Honor Flight flew 63 local veterans from Castle Airport in Atwater to the nation’s capital. It was an experience the participating veterans described as unforgettable.

According to the volunteer organizers, since its 2013 inception, the nonprofit Central Valley Honor Flight has taken about 600 veterans to see sights such as the National World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

October’s flight was the eighth for the Central Valley, and the second out of Atwater.

The three-day trips are funded entirely by donations and are free for veterans. CVHF raises about $1,500 per veteran to cover transportation, lodging and meals, organizers said.

Joe Cox, 90, of Los Banos, one of the participants in October’s trip, said his favorite part of the experience was seeing the World War II Memorial and sharing stories around the dinner table with the other veterans.

He shared that when he returned from World War II to his then-home in Reedley, there was no celebration. “My family picked me up in Fresno and that was it; there was no action, no band.”

On Oct. 21, the eighth Honor Flight returned to Castle. Cox and other veterans described the welcoming, which included a cheerful crowd and the Atwater High Band, as heart-warming.

Bob Smith, a World War II and Korean War Navy veteran of Merced, also said the homecoming celebration was moving.

“I’d never seen anything like it,” he said. “All I kept saying was ‘Wow.’ I think I had tears in my eyes.”

Meanwhile, Albert Baptista of Livingston said the trip also meant connecting and sharing stories with other veterans.

“There’s always a special feeling with other vets,” he said, “no matter the branch.”

The experience also was special to Baptista’s family, who signed him up for the trip. His daughter, Amanda Baptista, was present to send him off to Washington, D.C.

“He always tells us that if anything were to come up, he would still volunteer (in the service),” she said. “We’re very proud, and just happy that he is well enough to do this.”

For more information on Central Valley Honor Flight, visit www.cvhonorflight.org.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 2:23 PM with the headline "Central Valley Honor Flight takes veterans to Washington, D.C.."