A group of local veterans are traveling to Washington this weekend to visit war memorials. The trip is being provided by Honor Flight Southern Nevada. 13 Action News reporter Leah Pezzetti is making the trip with the veterans. Check back for updates throughout the weekend.
MAY 5
The group of local veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit the nation's war memorials received a warm welcome upon their return arrival at McCarran International Airport.
Our group of 25 local veterans from World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam made it to the DC airport Sunday morning as their trip is wrapping up with a return flight home to Las Vegas.
I told them to give me their “tough” faces. 😂 Our 25 veterans made it to the airport and we’re leaving D.C.! Time to head home to Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/Ptk87gcZRs
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 5, 2019
MAY 4
Our group of local veterans from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam are visiting several war memorials today in Washington, D.C. The first stop on Saturday morning was the World War Ii memorial. They are also visiting the Air Force Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans and Korean War memorials and Arlington National Cemetery.
One of our #HonorFlight team members visits his cousin’s name on the @VVMF every time he is in Washington. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zK7YlY2qyz
— Chris Way (@Chrisway) May 4, 2019
My new friend Walter, Korean War veteran, at the @KWMF1 #HonorFlight pic.twitter.com/c4nMkJV04S
— Chris Way (@Chrisway) May 4, 2019
Stop 1 in Washington DC: The WWII Memorial. And look who we ran into! A group of students from Rosemary Clark MS in Pahrump with their @GoldenKnights shirts. #VegasBorn #HonorFlight pic.twitter.com/jfZo2pyvNS
— Chris Way (@Chrisway) May 4, 2019
Another special moment at the #WorldWarIImemorial... we bumped into a group of Southern Nevada students. When they found out Dean is a local WWII veteran, they crowded around and listened to his story. He told me later he’s so happy to see young people so engaged in history. pic.twitter.com/jdgULsc7mu
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 4, 2019
Our two Southern #Nevada #WorldWarII veterans at the WWII memorial. I watched other WWII vets approach them... they all shook hands like old friends. It was so special to watch. pic.twitter.com/n946FautyP
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 4, 2019
First stop: the #WorldWarIImemorial. It’s a beautiful space, especially for our own two WWII veterans traveling with the group today. pic.twitter.com/IOHkhNZ6v6
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 4, 2019
Well this is fun! Our 25 veterans get a police escort around D.C. today. They deserve it! pic.twitter.com/RjT4cPHQ9M
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 4, 2019
It’s time! Our 25 #HonorFlight Southern Nevada #veterans and their guardians are loaded up onto the bus. Now, we’ll visit seven memorials here in D.C. in one day. pic.twitter.com/nT6IXkO3tf
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 4, 2019
Dick Takahasi is a #Vietnam veteran and just showed me these pictures of his service! He was an explosive ordnance disposal officer in the #Airforce and also the #Navy, then also became diver in the Navy! pic.twitter.com/ZRPr81GqQU
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 4, 2019
MAY 3
7 P.M.
These veterans are teaching me about their love for our country... I’m teaching them how to take a selfie. Not a fair exchange but I’m doing what I can! pic.twitter.com/AsSl0PUNQs
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 4, 2019
5:30 P.M. ET
The veterans and their guardians are sitting down to their first dinner in Washington.
4:45 P.M. ET
The veterans and Leah have arrived at the hotel in Washington. They were greeted by an active-duty sergeant.
Our 25 veterans arrived to the Westin BWI hotel and were greeted by an active duty staff sergeant (who just got back from Afghanistan this morning but still took the time to come here). What a welcome! pic.twitter.com/sJG99NAcqn
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 3, 2019
12:55 P.M.
Leah and the veterans are off the plane now. Leah says the veterans greeted by people clapping as they made their way through the airport. They will be heading to a local hotel when they leave the airport.
12:15 P.M.
The veterans and Leah have landed in Washington, D.C.
We just landed! Time for our veterans to explore D.C. and visit some special war memorials! pic.twitter.com/5wurRuR72r
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 3, 2019
7:50 A.M.
The veterans and 13 Action News reporter Leah Pezzetti are on a plane and about ready to take off for Washington.
Check out all these red hats! They’re sitting on the heads of 25 veterans flying to D.C. pic.twitter.com/l2B3KZIpkV
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 3, 2019
7:30 A.M.
13 Action News reporter Leah Pezzetti talks to Dean, a veteran from WWII, before their plane takes off from McCarran International Airport.
7 A.M.
Off we go to Washington DC! Honoring our veterans with Honor Flight of Southern Nevada. 🇺🇸✈️ pic.twitter.com/VaLzKFplUy
— Chris Way (@Chrisway) May 3, 2019
6 A.M.
The World War II and Vietnam Veterans are arriving at McCarran International Airport for the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to visit the war memorials. The trip is completely free for the veterans.
The first veterans have arrived at @LASairport! A groups of 25 will by flying to D.C. this weekend to visit war memorials with Honor Flight Southern Nevada. pic.twitter.com/HOjSpU09qz
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 3, 2019
MAY 2
7 P.M.
A local girl named Abigail decided to use her money she earned selling Girl Scout cookies to buy new wheelchairs for veterans going to Washington, D.C., on a Honor Flight.
Abigail is just 12 years old and decided to donate her money raised from selling Girl Scout cookies to Honor Flight. With the $1,200 raised, they were able to buy these eight new wheelchairs! The wheelchairs will be used by veterans when they visit war memorials in D.C. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/9pKKbqiKGK
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 3, 2019
3 P.M.
13 Action News reporter Leah Pezzetti is traveling with a group of local veterans who are going to Washington, D.C., on a Honor Flight. Leah interviewed 93-year-old Jerry before the trip.
This is Jerry. He’s a 93-year-old WWII veteran. He was one of the first people to storm the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago. He’s a true hero and as a thank you, he will be flown out to to D.C. this weekend with Honor Flight Southern Nevada to visit multiple war memorial. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/BU7CKEH5Hh
— Leah Pezzetti (@leahpezzetti) May 2, 2019
APRIL 27
Findlay Automotive Group is a local business that supports Honor Flight Southern Nevada.
Thank you @tcordervegas and Findlay Automotive Group for supporting #HonorFlightSouthernNevada! pic.twitter.com/Srp24j4dy0
— Chris Way (@Chrisway) April 28, 2019