Valley Veterans receive heroes welcome after returning from 35th Central Valley Honor Flight

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Nearly 70 Central Valley veterans received a hero's welcome Wednesday night as they returned home from the 35th Central Valley Honor Flight, ending a three-day trip to visit memorials and sites dedicated to their service.

Family members, friends and community supporters gathered at Fresno Yosemite International Airport to greet the veterans as they arrived. The flight included 68 veterans representing multiple branches of the military, including the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Army.

Music played as supporters waved American flags and held signs welcoming the veterans home. The celebration brought together people of all ages to honor those who served.

"I just think it's important to give these veterans the welcome they deserve because they never had this before," said Ariana Flores of Los Banos FFA.

Among those waiting at the airport was Elena Bustamante of Kerman, who attended with her daughter to welcome home her father, Rudy Bustamante, a Vietnam veteran.

For Elena, the trip carried special significance.

"I don't think I'd ever be able to understand what that kind of honor is. To bring to my father's name but to be a part of this whole special event," she said.

Rudy Bustamante served in the Marine Corps as a scout sniper from 1967 to 1969, including 13 months in Vietnam. He was wounded twice in combat and is a Purple Heart recipient.

Elena reflected on the sacrifices made by the men who served alongside her father.

"In 1989, he took us to Washington D.C. I colored off with a gold crayon, the brothers that saved him twice. Those are my uncles, what they did for him and how they died for him, it's something that I thank them for," she said.

During the Honor Flight, Rudy Bustamante and three other veterans had the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

"It's special for each one of those gentlemen. One of those guys was named after his uncle who was killed in World War II, Harry Steed. He got to lay that wreath today. He's a Silver Star recipient, so is Smokey Rickerd who lost friends in Vietnam," said Paul Loeffler with Central Valley Honor Flight.

For Elena Bustamante, the journey was about more than recognizing her father's service. She said it was an opportunity to honor those who never returned home.

"I think this is honoring his fallen brothers. I really do think he's dedicating this whole trip to those that died for him," she said.

The next Honor Flight is scheduled for October.

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