Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/central-valley-heroes-tour-u-s-capitol-on-emotional-34th-honor-flight-journey/
A Historic Send-Off for Timeless Guardians (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Fresno Yosemite International Airport buzzed with anticipation as 69 veterans from California’s Central Valley boarded a flight bound for Washington, D.C., marking the 34th mission of the local Honor Flight program.[1][2] These men, spanning service from World War II to Desert Storm, embarked on a fully funded trip to visit memorials erected in tribute to their sacrifices.[3] The journey, spanning April 20 to 22, 2026, offered a profound opportunity for reflection amid the capital’s iconic sites.
A Historic Send-Off for Timeless Guardians
Early on April 20, veterans and their guardians gathered at Fresno Yosemite International Airport for a ceremonial procession through the lobby.[4] Crowds cheered as the group, representing 24 hometowns across nine counties, prepared to depart on an Allegiant Air flight to Baltimore-Washington International Airport.[1] Among them stood 100-year-old Norris Jernigan of Visalia, the flight’s oldest participant and a World War II Army Air Corps veteran – the sole survivor of the bomb squadron that supported the Enola Gay mission.[5][6]
Jernigan traveled alongside his son, one of several father-son duos on board, turning the trip into a multigenerational milestone. He reflected on past visits to the capital but noted this one held special meaning. “I think it’ll be great for him and great for me, sure,” Jernigan said.[5] The send-off underscored the…
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Author : Matthias Binder
Publish date : 2026-04-22 06:03:00
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