The Fresno community gathers together to welcome Veterans home from the Central Valley Honor Flight No. 11, Sept. 14.

Central Valley Honor Flight honors WWII and Korean War veterans by sending them to experience their memorials in Washington D.C. The organization has sent over 500 veterans and guardians on 10 separate trips.

The trip touches all those involved, not only veterans. Paul Loeffler, local radio personality has experienced the impact of Honor Flight on a very personal level.

“I started in 2005, and my grandfather was one of the first vets I interviewed,” Loeffler said. “I would’ve never been born if God hadn’t brought him through the war. I realized there were millions of stories just like his, and so many of us wouldn’t be here. We can’t take their service and sacrifice for granted.”

Come and welcome home the men and women who fought for our freedom. The next Honor Flight arrival will be at Fresno Yosemite Airport, Oct. 26. Time TBA.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2016-17.