After hopping islands in the Pacific Ocean, dodging bullets and scouring cliffs for enemy soldiers, all Barney Roth Jr. wanted was a trip home.
The 19-year-old had survived World War II and went back to life in the United States like millions of other veterans.
On Friday, Mr. Roth and other veterans took another trip, this one in recognition of what they did so many decades ago.
Honor Flight Network has transported 36,000 veterans to Washington, D.C., for tours of war memorials and monuments since its inception in 2005, according to the organization.
Mr. Roth flew out of the group’s West Georgia hub in Columbus for the one-day trip and plans to see the memorials for World War II, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, Korea and others on the whirlwind tour.
Interviewed before the trip, the 87-year-old veteran said it was hard to describe how he felt about the upcoming flight.
“It’s a validation for the men who are going,” he said.
The Honor Flight Network began its work because of the rapid loss of veterans from the 65-year-old conflict, said James McLaughlin, its chairman of the board. Most who served are in their 80s, and there are fewer living each year, he said.
Mr. McLaughlin said the program runs out of 95 hubs across the country and depends solely on donations to support the flights. Veterans pay nothing for the trip, he said. If they have someone accompany them, it costs the guest $400, he said.
World War II and terminally ill veterans from any conflict have first priority, he said.
“All you’ve got to do is go to YouTube and type in ‘honor flight’ and see the tears on those people’s faces,” he said. “It’s an easy sell.”
The age and health of the veterans make time essential for the program, he said.
Ken Cochrane, an 87-year-old World War II veteran who’s scheduled to take an Honor Flight trip out of Knoxville on April 28, said he’s humbled that people are willing to help pay for veterans to visit the nation’s capital.
“I think it’s a tremendous compliment,” he said. “I don’t feel like I deserve all of that.”
For the veterans, the day usually consists of a trip to the World War II memorial, but from there schedules vary. Most will visit the Iwo Jima memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, and often they’ll observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at the cemetery, network officials said.
HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK* 95 – Hubs in 35 states* 36,000 – Veterans flown to Washington, D.C., since inception* 25,000 – Goal for 2010Source: Honor Flight Network at www.honorflight.org
The fast pace of the trip is demanding on aging veterans, Mr. McLaughlin said. But the men and women always have the option to rest on the air-conditioned bus at various stops.
Even with 95 nationwide hubs, Mr. McLaughlin sees a greater demand.
Longer flights for veterans who live west of the Mississippi River not only cost more but can take up to three days, an arduous journey that adds an overnight stay for veterans with health problems.
The network looks for new hubs wherever there is a desire to form one, he said. Often, the process begins with local fundraising to pay for the first flight, which can garner public attention to support future trips for area veterans, Mr. McLaughlin said.