Honor Flight veterans attend meet and greet in Evansville

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Dozens of veterans gathered together in downtown Evansville on Thursday ahead of the trip of a lifetime.

A group of 86 veterans attended a meet-and-greet event at the Coliseum before embarking on the 13th Honor Flight of Southern Indiana to Washington D.C.

These veterans from throughout the Tri-State met for the first time during Thursday’s event.

Veterans, volunteers and family members talked about how excited they are about the trip. Being part of the Honor Flight means a lot to Raymond Tucker, a former Marine who says he wasn’t honored when he returned from Vietnam 50 years ago.

When we came home there was not much,” Cpl. Tucker said. “Nothing like this for sure to welcome us home, so this is welcome home about 50 years late.”

The veterans are traveling to Washington D.C on Saturday morning.

They will visit the World War II and Vietnam Memorials, take a bus tour to the National Mall, as well as see the Arlington National Cemetery.

When they get back to the Tri-State on Saturday night, organizers are hoping the public goes and packs the Evansville Regional Airport for the welcome home they deserve.

The flight arrives at 7:30 p.m.

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