Dozens of northern Nevada veterans now have memories and emotions that will last a lifetime.
Honor Flight Nevada’s latest mission returned Sunday afternoon from Washington D.C. on Southwest Airlines Flight 806 after a tour of national monuments and memorials.
"It was the best experience I think I've had in my entire life,” says Suzi Sires, who spent 20 years as a Navy nurse during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Noble Eagle.
38 veterans made the trip to D.C. through an Honor Flight Nevada mission to see the museums and memorials dedicated to them, including the father-son duo of Greg and Kerry Gannon.
“I think the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier really stands out in my mind," says Greg Gannon, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War.
“There was a lot of great things - the Pentagon, 9/11 memorial. A lot of great stuff there and I'm glad I got to do it with my dad.” says Kelly Gannon, an Air National Guardsman in 2005 during the Iraq War.
Sires got the chance to be a part of a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
“There were four of us, two in wheelchairs and two of us that pushed them,” she says. “When we got there, it was solemn and sobering and wonderful, all at the same time. I'm so proud and happy that I got to be selected."
An emotional trip for all 38 on board, but the emotions spilled into the Reno-Tahoe International Airport as well. The elder Gannon recalls his trip down the steps.
“It's emotional,” Greg Gannon says. "A long time coming. 55 years, something like that."
And the memories and emotions they're bringing home will reach far beyond themselves.
“It's life changing for not just for the veterans in the red shirts,” says Jon Yuspa, Honor Flight Nevada’s founder. “We say there's about a 20-to-25-person ripple effect. It's the community. It's the kids that are out here that are going to remember it."
Veterans can apply online for Honor Flight Nevada’s next mission on October 22.
We thank all of our northern Nevada veterans for their service, and for putting their lives on the line.
