JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twenty-two veterans spent the day within the nation’s capital as a part of the First Coast Honor Flight Program to share service tales and go to struggle memorials.
The veterans have been escorted by the Jacksonville Worldwide Airport early Saturday morning for the seventh First Coast Honor Flight. For the primary time, this journey contains two married {couples}, all 4 veterans experiencing this collectively.
James and Betty Powers each served within the Military through the Vietnam Struggle. They met in Korea and have been married since 1982.
“I’ve by no means been to the memorials in Washington,” James Powers stated. “I want to see it and see any names on the partitions of folks that I used to know.”
Betty Powers stated she lived there within the 70s.
“I shall be wanting ahead to seeing the modifications that I’ve come about since then on the totally different monuments,” she stated.
The second couple, Walt and Jean Miller, have been married for 70 years. They served within the Korean Struggle.
“We actually are appreciative for all the pieces that has occurred to date,” Walt Miller stated. “We’re wanting ahead to going to the memorial.”
Candace Mabry, the First Coast Honor Flight president, talked about what it’s like having two married {couples} on the journey.
“It’s extraordinary,” Mabry stated. “Once I heard about it to start with that there have been two {couples} and they’re nonetheless collectively, they’re lovable.”
Betty Powers stated she’s completely happy for her husband.
“I’m extra honored for my husband as a result of he was the Vietnam vet who dodged the bullets through the struggle and got here out secure,” she stated.
James Powers is completely happy his spouse was in a position to go along with him.
“It’s good that she is ready to go along with me and expertise it with me since she is aware of just a little bit about Washington D.C. greater than I do,” he stated.
Amongst these in attendance was 101-year-old World Struggle II Navy veteran Roy Benson. He served on the USS Bush and the USS Cape Esperance.
The following honor flight is scheduled for Oct. 4.
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