Blue Ridge Honor Flight takes veterans on emotional roller coaster in D.C.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — What began as an effort to take World War II veterans to see their memorial in the nation's capital has expanded to those who fought in other wars.

"It's a unique mix of humble heroes on a fantastic day," said Jeff Miller, who founded Honor Air in 2005. The non-profit is now known as Blue Ridge Honor Flight.

A group of 80 World War II, Korea, and Vietnam vets just returned from the latest trip on Saturday. There was a huge crowd assembled to greet them at Asheville Regional Airport that evening.

Before they left that morning, Vietnam vet Charles Boyd explained the common thread of often unspoken pain.

"I'm sure everyone on this flight has lost buddies and fellow veterans," Boyd said.

The next flight is May 19 and Blue Ridge Honor Flight encourages more applications from Vietnam veterans, especially since many have health issues. For some, it's a charter plane to uncharted territory in terms of emotions.

"While they're up there, they're all 19 years old again," Miller observed. "It's kind of unique to see."

The flight travels 500 miles to Washington D.C., while seemingly turning back the clock.

At Reagan National Airport, the greeting was loud and proud, including a band playing in the terminal. There were also folks gathered with patriotic signs, there to shake hands and show their appreciation.

"Thank you for your service. It's an honor to have you here," a woman told Boyd.

"That was a rousing reception, wasn't it!" he told News 13.

Of course, many never got that kind of reception from a nation that was so divided after Vietnam.

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every name has a story.

"He got killed, he was a first lieutenant," Charles said of one of the men he knew. "It's just a heart-rending feeling to know that they're not coming back."

This year, 14 Vietnam vets made the Honor Flight.

"You fought in an era when there weren't any parades," General Rick Deveraux told the group. "And we're ashamed as a nation that it took us so many years to appreciate."

"It was a really hard feeling knowing you weren't appreciated that much," Boyd acknowledged. At the memorial, they were presented a coin to recognize their service.

Meanwhile, at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, 45 veterans from that conflict gathered to pay respects. Marshall Garmon, Jr.'s told News 13 the so-called Forgotten War remains fresh in his mind.

"It kind of left a mark on me. It's been a long time, but I wake up with nightmares," Garmon said of the sleepless nights over those who were killed. "I spent 13 months and 12 days on the front line in North Korea. And I don't understand why do you go fight a war you can't win. A lot of friends I lost."

Garmon laid a wreath during a ceremony attended by Congressman Mark Meadows.

"It meant a lot to me to lay that wreath today," Garmon said. "I'll always feel a sadness in my heart for my friends I left over there."

"I'm so proud of South Korea, where they are today," he told a South Korean General in attendance. "God bless you."

Blue Ridge Honor Flight operates with a sense of urgency. Eighteen more World War II veterans visited their war memorial.

"It kind of remains the gold standard by which we define all fights," General Deveraux told them. The men received a victory medal for their heroic role in history, and were front and center in a group photo for the ages that paints the picture of service and sacrifice.

After all they saw at the nation's capital, one more moving chapter's yet to come.

"The satisfaction of them recognized for their service, and the welcome home here in Asheville," Miller explained.

Vietnam veterans were first in line, a gesture certainly not lost on Charles Boyd.

"Jeff, I can't tell you how much this means," Boyd told him as he saw the crowd assembled at Asheville Regional.

"You guys did it first," Miller said, referring to their service.

The scene would have seemed impossible when he first came home from combat.

"Thank you, thank, you. Good turnout!" Boyd said, shaking hands with a crowd of people reaching out in appreciation.

"Thanks for your service," he heard every step of the way.

They say time heals all wounds, but for some servicemen, that time never comes. Maybe it took a tour of Washington, D.C. to put their tour of duty in fresh perspective.

"But it means so much to them, it's the welcome home from the war they never got," Miller said.