x
Breaking News
More () »

Central Georgia veterans take free trip to war memorials

The inaugural trip for the Middle Georgia Honor Flight took a dozen veterans to see the war memorials in Washington D.C.

A dozen veterans from across Central Georgia got to take a free trip to the nation's capital to see the war memorials built in their honor.

They were part of the first trip of the Middle Georgia Honor Flight organization, one of the newest chapters of the national Honor Flight network.

The veterans and volunteers made their first stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the changing of the guard ceremony.

After a drive through parts of Arlington National Cemetery, the group made their way through Washington D.C. to see the Marines, Air Force, and Navy memorials.

Les Goggans served with the Marines during World War II and the Korean War.

At the foot of the Marine memorial, he shared what it was like to stand just feet away from the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima.

"The admiral had us go to the top of Mount Suribachi and a guy took out a small flag and tied it to a piece of galvanized pipe and waved it so they would know back at the ship that we had made it to the top of Mount Suribachi," said Goggans.

He says a photographer then had the men raise another, larger flag. "That became the battle cry of Iwo Jima."

The group also toured the memorials honoring those who served in World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War.

Many of them, like Vance Mathis, wanted to find the names of their fallen comrades on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Throughout the day, several people stopped to shake hands with or hug the veterans to thank them for their service.

Expressions of gratitude continued on the flight back to the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, as the veterans read letters written to them by students from Central Georgia elementary schools.

Back in Macon, a large crowd gathered inside the airport to welcome the veterans home with flags and signs.

Roger Jennings, one of the founders of Middle Georgia Honor Flight, says they plan to host another trip later this year.

He says they already have several veterans interested in going, but he hopes more will sign up for the opportunity.

Before You Leave, Check This Out