Local veterans take honor flight to Washington D.C.

"I'm anxious to go," said Vietnam War veteran Rob Wells. "I've never seen it, and I'm sure it will be heart-wrenching."

Nearly 80 veterans from across Northwest Ohio got to visit Washington D.C. for the day on Wednesday.

The men and women spent their time touring war memorials built in their honor, free of charge, courtesy of Flag City Honor Flight.

"It's something I've wanted to do is see the memorials that all of the wars that we've had, and it's very, very important," said World War II veteran John Oldman.

Service members from World War II, Korea and Vietnam made up the trip.

Their day started with breakfast followed by presentation of the colors. The veterans also paired up with a guardian to be by their side for the entire trip.

"It's all very exciting, believe me," said World War II veteran Betty Casselman. "I had no idea it was such a big deal."

It wasn't just about the trip, as many of the veterans were eager to hear about other's experiences while serving our country.

"I would just love to be able to meet anybody that might have been in the Airborne in World War II because they're my heroes," said Korean War veteran Arthur Taylor.

He was proud to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with his fellow veterans.

"I'm just overwhelmed...I've never been in anything like this," said Taylor. "Even when I went to Korea, I packed my bag and went all by myself and I came home all by myself. To be in a large group and all this excitement is beyond anything I can describe."

Others like Navy veteran Dorothy Cochran were excited to see our nation's monuments up-close for the first time.

"I want to see the one with those guys in the field with those capes on," said Cochran referring to the Korean War Memorial.

It's a well-deserved trip for those took an oath to serve our country no matter the cost.