KFOX 14: DAY 2: Honor flight takes local veterans to war memorials

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly 40 veterans boarded a bus to Washington, D.C., Tuesday morning after flying across the county the night before. 

The group, part of this year’s honor flight, is traveling to our nation’s capital to visit their war memorials. 

The once in a lifetime experience brought tears to their eyes.

Cruz Ramirez, an Army vet from Las Cruces, served during World War II.

He told KFOX14, "I've traveled quite a bit. I've been to the Holy Land. I've been overseas. You have a sense of what you expect to see but this is emotional."

"I've been to a lot of places but this place is awesome," he said.

The group also visited Lincoln Memorial and the Korean and Vietnam war memorials.

The three-day trip to Washington, D.C., also included stops at the Air Force Memorial, Marine Corps Memorial and Women in Military Service for America Memorial. 

Veterans were greeted at each stop by standing ovations and visitors wanting to take pictures. 

Tuesday’s tour concluded at Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where they watched changing of the guard.

Veterans are scheduled to arrive in El Paso at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.