We were lucky to get the Honor Flight in this year before the government shutdown. But if we had gone after the shutdown, maybe we could have been one of the groups to break through the barriers and go in anyway. As usual, this is always one of my favorite assignments each year. I appreciate Touchstone Energy bringing me along each year. I love hearing the stories that these men have to tell from their place and time in World War II, and I love being a small part of their trip to Washington DC, to see the Memorials that have been built in their honor.

 It all starts in the Louisville Airport early that morning, and ends about 14 hours later.

The reception at the Baltimore Washington International Airport is always a surprise for the vets.

Several of these active duty service men and women drove 12 hours from Ft. Gordon, near Augusta, Georgia, just to greet The Honor Flight vets as they got off the plane in Baltimore. Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb The whole day is a great experience. But the Homecoming Parade, with about 300 people in the concourse at the Louisville Airport, tops it all off. It's something that will make even the toughest of men cry. These, and all vets fight for a cause. The Homecoming Parade symbolizes what they fight for.

Photo by Tim Webb