19th Central Valley Honor Flight honors Vietnam War veterans with trip to Washington, DC memorials

WASHINGTON (KFSN) -- A group of 68 veterans spent a few days this week in Washington, D.C. during the 19th Central Valley Honor Flight, but this trip was unlike any of the others.

FULL TRIP WRAP: Vietnam veterans get an overdue "thank you" on Honor Flight trip

The first Central Valley Honor Flight featuring exclusively Vietnam veterans was an emotional journey to our nation's capital, and brought a long overdue "thank you" for the vets.

The group that departed Monday morning is the first that is made up entirely of veterans of the Vietnam War.

Like other visits, this trip allowed the veterans to visit their memorials in our nation's capital.

This Honor Flight comes 45 years since the last troops returned from Vietnam, and most did not receive a warm welcome when they returned home.

Planners provided several opportunities for the public to thank these veterans for their service.

The group was given a warm welcome at Fresno Yosemite Airport on Monday morning.

DAY ONE: 19th Central Valley Honor Flight takes off for Washington D.C.

A special Honor Flight took off from Fresno Monday morning. What makes it unique is the group is made up entirely of Vietnam Veterans.

When the veterans arrived in the Washington, D.C. area on Monday evening, they were met by service members and the public at Baltimore/Washington Airport and invited a dinner in their honor at an American Legion post in Baltimore.

DAY ONE: Veterans on 19th Central Valley Honor Flight welcomed to Baltimore with open arms

The 68 Vietnam War veterans were greeted at the gates by people thanking them for their service with handshakes and big hugs.

The veterans began their tour of Washington D.C. memorials Tuesday with a trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, with the names of more than 58,000 servicemembers declared dead.

DAY TWO: Veterans visit Memorial Wall, a place that brought heartbreak and healing

The 19th Central Valley Honor Flight brought 67 Vietnam veterans to the Memorial Wall, a place that brought heartbreak and healing.

HEROES RETURN HOME: Community gathers at FYI to welcome back 19th Central Valley Honor Flight

The lobby of the airport was packed as friends, family, and supporters waited for hours to greet the veterans.