NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Thirty-two veterans from across Middle Tennessee are embarking on a trip of a lifetime!
25 Vietnam War veterans, six Korean War veterans and one Korean and Vietnam War veteran departed from BNA early Wednesday on a flight to our Nation's capital.
Honor Flight is a nationwide program that pays tribute to veterans through an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. There they get to visit memorials, and be honored for their service with a day of recognition and remembrance.
Wednesday's flight kicked off with plenty of waving flags and live music. Veterans also received breakfast before boarding.
One veteran spoke on why this Honor Flight trip means so much to him.
"It feels awesome. This has been on my bucket list," said Vietnam Veteran Dan Drainer. "I've been looking forward to it so much. I never thought I'd be picked but I got picked."
This is a story I immediately went home and showed my boys - young athletes with big dreams. The Vanderbilt football team's success has stolen the spotlight - what I love about Steve Layman's story is he reveals the individual hardships it took to get there. As Clark Lea says, "we all have scuff marks." This team proves perseverance pays off!
- Carrie Sharp
