3rd Central Valley Honor flight takes off for Washington, DC
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tuesday was a momentous day for a group of World War II veterans from the Valley. Nearly 70 members of the Greatest Generation headed off on a three-day trip to our nation's capital. They took off from Fresno Yosemite International Airport as part of the Central Valley's third Honor Flight, and dozens of people lined the hallways around 5 o'clock Tuesday morning for a special send-off ceremony.
"Oh, it's kind of out of this world actually," said World War II veteran August Paolercio. "It's hard to believe it could happen."
"I think it's fantastic," said Janice Polglase from Fresno. "This early in the morning, for this many people to show up."
"It's great to be honored for World War II because it was a tragic time and economic crisis, and it's hard," said Va Yang from Fresno. "It's hard, so being honored now to go to D.C. is a privilege for them."
Yang was just about to board his flight to Fort Bliss, Texas, to begin his own journey when he spotted the group of men and women reflecting back on their military careers.
Among those onboard the flight is a married couple from Fresno. Army Company Aid Man Warren Moose, 92, and his 89-year-old wife, Joan, who served as a Woman Accepting Volunteer Emergency Service or "WAVE" in the Navy while her husband was overseas.
"I'm just going to be so thrilled to be able to do this and see it and be able to tell my family what it means to us," said Joan Moose.
There's also Jack Leonard, a member of the Army Air Corps, who's three brothers also served in the war. Not only is he being honored for his service, but he's honoring a sibling who was killed in combat.
"My brother was a P-51 pilot flying out of Italy in the Air Force, and three days before the war ended his plane got hit," said Leonard.
Leonard is taking along his best friend -- his son Scott. The two were among those recognized when their plane taxied through this before taking off on their trip.
The public is invited to attend our Valley vets' homecoming on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The next Honor Flight is scheduled for September.
