Veterans get hero’s welcome home following trip to Washington, D.C.

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Dozens of veterans got a very special hero’s welcome home after traveling to Washington, D.C. to see America’s war memorials in person.

The veterans arrived at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport late Saturday, April 11, to a cheering crowd of people waiving American flags and dressed in patriotic gear.

Honor Flight Louisiana made the trip to the nation’s capital possible. Every year, the group helps organize flights to and from Washington, D.C. at no cost to the veterans.

Vietnam War veteran Vance Sutton went on a previous trip and showed up at the airport Saturday evening for the welcome home celebration.

“This moment, look, it just overwhelms you,” Sutton said. “It just tears your heart apart. When you see these signs saying welcome home, man it just brings tears to your eyes. It’s so fantastic.”

The men and women who took part in the 2026 flight to Washington, D.C. were involved in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. About 74 of the veterans served in Vietnam, while three of them served in the Korean War.

Anna Sanders is the event coordinator for Honor Flight Louisiana and reached out to each of the veterans ahead of the 2026 trip.

“I’m a veteran, and I flew on this flight before. And it’s a very honoring flight for them, and I know that they enjoyed it today,” Sanders said.

When going on the Honor Flight Louisiana trips, the veterans are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, every veteran is typically accompanied by a guardian and family member.

To learn more about Honor Flight Louisiana or to sign up and become a volunteer, click here.

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