68 Kentucky veterans will make a trip to Washington D.C. on Saturday on an Honor Flight leaving out of Lexington.
The veterans will have an opportunity to see their memorials at the National Mall and participate in a wreath laying service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nick Comer is a spokesman for Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, which is sponsoring the Honor Flight. Comer said 11 years ago, most of the veterans on Honor Flights were from the World War II era.
“We only have two World War II veterans on this flight and there are just fewer of that generation with each passing year, unfortunately. And we certainly want to honor them. It’s becoming more common to see women on our veterans’ flights,” said Comer.
Comer said two women veterans will be inducted into the Military Women’s Memorial during the trip to D.C.
Comer added that the public is invited to come welcome the veterans home when they return to Lexington.
“Typically we have hundreds, I think we’ve had over a thousand people there to greet them as they come back. People with flags, people with signs, we have Scout Troops. We have, of course, veterans organizations,” said Comer.
The Honor Flight is set to return to Blue Grass Airport at 7:30 Saturday evening.
Comer said there will be parking available for anyone who wants to participate in the welcome home.
Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives is a financial supporter of WEKU.
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