Dozens of Valley veterans enjoy a patriotic return from the trip of a lifetime

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- From bagpipes and banners to babies and balloons--the members of the 14th Central Valley honor flight received a red, white, and blue welcome home.

Friends and family members filled Fresno Yosemite International to give these veterans -- an emotional and heartfelt homecoming that some of them never had when they returned from war decades ago.

Korean War veteran, Phil Torres appreciated the many handshakes and "thank you's" from the loud and enthusiastic crowd.

"I felt great. I feel proud of myself -- it was really great," said Torres.

For the past three days, Torres and 67 other World War II, Korea, and Vietnam War veterans enjoyed an exhausting and sometimes emotional visit to Washington D.C. -- all free of charge thanks to donations.

They visited their war memorials and paid respects to the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. Korean War veteran Donald Leeworthy traveled to Washington on a previous honor flight.

"Any veteran that gets the opportunity to and doesn't go is missing the experience of a lifetime," said Leeworthy.

That is exactly how World War II veteran S.L. Morrow feels about his honor flight trip. He says it was amazing.

"Man I tell ya, they put on a show up there you wouldn't believe ya know -- took us around every place," said Morrow.

"If I known it would have been that good -- I would have enlisted again-- ya know."

Every remarkable trip on the honor flight ends with this homecoming celebration-- a chance to show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of the veterans.