FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of World War II veterans from the fourth mission of the Central Valley Honor Flight were welcomed home Wednesday evening.
For three days the veterans enjoyed a tour of Washington, D.C., including a visit to the World War II memorial.
As the families welcome their war heroes home from Washington, D.C., they're certainly excited to hear new stories from their latest mission.
Cheers are all that was heard during this incredible homecoming. 69 veterans and their guardians, volunteer guides on this mission, made their way through a procession of family, friends and total strangers.
"It's something that, by golly, we never expected, you know," Manuel Sosa said. "I'm glad and I'm very proud."
For six months during World War II, Sosa was a prisoner of war. To honor his dedication to America's freedom his loved ones made sure he took the mission.
His niece and daughter brought the whole family to welcome their hero home. "When I was a little girl he'd tell us stories about how he was in prison, how he escaped," Lily Hernandez said. "He's been through a lot."
Sosa's guardian was his daughter, Cindy. The pair sent back pictures to their family in Fresno during the trip.
"It's just amazing what they saw," said Cruz Bueno. "And I'm going to be happy to hear all their stories."
There are so many stories to tell, so many new bonds formed as these veterans who fought so close to one another decades ago met for the first time this week.
"Oh yeah, I've made a lot of friends," Sosa said. "In fact, I met one guy that we were almost in the same deal at Omaha Beach."
The veterans and their guardians experienced touching moments at various memorials in Washington, D.C. They were remembering why they sacrificed so much, and remembering those who sacrificed it all.
With mission number four complete, the Central Valley Honor Flight will continue working to make this trip one that every World War II veteran in Central California has a chance to take.
And since there are so few WWII veterans still alive the next few honor flights will also include veterans from other wars. The next honor flight will take off from Castle Airport in Atwater in October.