[April 20, 2012]    

Another Land of Lincoln Honor Flight took place on Tuesday. Honor Flight affords select veterans the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., where they are taken to the various war memorials and visit Arlington National Cemetery. Each veteran is accompanied by a personal assistant (most of the time a family member) who helps them navigate the trip.

This week when they returned home, the veterans and their assistants were greeted with a special "welcome home" party at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield.

For many of these veterans, their return home from war was not so cheerful, and there were no parties awaiting them at airports, train or bus stations.

For them, and their assistants, the crowd at the airport, the playing of the bagpipes and the proud displays of our nation's colors made a very emotional and happy ending to a once-in-a-lifetime event, as is displayed on their faces in the pictures below.

Pictures by Lisa Ramlow

Friends and family wait for the plane to arrive.

The waiting area at the airport is a sea of red, white and blue.

 

As the veterans come into the waiting area, they are led by a Scottish bagpipe player.

Returning veterans reach out to touch the hands of well-wishers.