Tuesday, November 11, was Veterans Day, and thanks to the Honor Flight Network, veterans from across the nation traveled to Washington, DC, to take part in the commemorations — but one group received an unforgettable surprise.
When a plane carrying Korean and Vietnam War veterans landed in the capital, the passengers were greeted by none other than former President Barack Obama. According to ABC News, Obama boarded the flight arriving from Madison, Wisconsin, stepping into the cabin to deliver a heartfelt message over the intercom.
“Hello, everybody. As Veterans Day approaches, I wanted to stop by and thank you for your incredible service. You, your families, and the sacrifices you’ve made to protect our country will always be honored. We are deeply grateful,” Obama said.
The veterans’ reactions were filled with joy and emotion. The Honor Flight Network — the non-profit that arranged the flight — supports veterans and their families by helping them travel to Washington, DC, to visit memorials built in their honor. Over the past two decades, the organization has flown more than 300,000 veterans to the capital.
According to their website, Honor Flight trips offer veterans a chance to reconnect with fellow service members, honor the fallen, and share their stories. All honored veterans travel at no cost, made possible through generous donations.
Later, Obama reflected on the encounter in a Medium post, calling the experience a true “honor.”
“Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in Washington, DC,” he wrote. “To those who bravely served, thank you — you and your families have made extraordinary sacrifices, and they will always be remembered.”
He added that one of the privileges of serving as President was handing out the Presidential Challenge Coin, a symbolic token he has continued giving to service members and community heroes. Obama said he was grateful for the chance to personally thank veterans who served in Korea and Vietnam and offer them this gesture of appreciation as they arrived for the Veterans Day observance.