KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Sunday evening, 21 local Vietnam Veterans returned home on the Honor Flight Mission 15 of the Appalachian Highlands to Crossroads Global Methodist Church.

The Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, a non-profit organization, transports veterans to monuments in Washington, D.C., to honor those who have served and sacrificed.

Honor Flight Mission 15 departed on Friday, and the organization and veterans spent the weekend visiting memorial sites, including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

In Arlington, four veterans laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dennis Caudill, a veteran, said it was an opportunity he will forever cherish.

“I’m very thankful for everything that this honor flight did; there was a whole host of places that we went,” Caudill told News Channel 11. “This [Flight Return Ceremony] is a far cry from what I received when I came home from Vietnam.”

The ceremony included speakers from the Appalachian Highlands, American Flag gift bags for returning veterans, and recognition for each veteran and their guardian.

Sarah Rabb, Treasurer with the Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, said the celebration was held in honor of the veterans, as many of them did not get recognition when they returned home from the Vietnam War.

“What it means to us is it’s a chance to recognize our veterans for their service and their sacrifice and give them the recognition that they didn’t get when they came home,” Rabb told News Channel 11.  

Veteran Oscar Irvin said he had been to D.C. in 1986 but never got the chance to visit the memorials. Being able to go back and catch up with those memorials is a memory he will hold close dearly.

“It was my first time and it was excellent; they [Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands] did an outstanding job,” said Irvin. “I had been to D.C. before, but I got to visit all of the memorials this time.”

The Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands will host their next trip in the upcoming spring. For more information, click here.