PHOENIX -
Some valley veterans are taking a very special flight to Washington DC, where they will visit the World War II Memorial.
This is one of the biggest honor flights of the year --- transporting 30 World War II veterans to be honored at their memorials.
World War II veterans arrived at Sky Harbor Airport early Tuesday morning ready to take a flight honoring their military service.
Many of them are excited to visit the memorials for the very first time.
"This is an awesome honor for me to go on this trip that people can actually remember the sacrifices that many of these men had made. Really something else," says veteran Glenn Jensen.
"I'm looking to see the memorial mainly. I haven't seen the memorial and you know, mainly honoring the guys that died," says veteran Erwin Solloway.
These veterans are able to experience their memorials thanks the Honor Flight Network -- a non-profit organization created to honor World War II veterans for all their sacrifices.
"The idea behind it is to honor our World War II veterans before they all pass away. Our average veteran who is flying with us now is 90 years old," says Susan Howe, Honor Flight Arizona.
Many took this opportunity to bond and reminisce with their military brothers -- remembering when they first joined.
"I went in in 1942, then I spent 7 months in the ASTP, the army specialized training program, and then they brought us into infantry overseas," says Myles Hones.
These brave men are lucky to be alive. Some of them are looking forward to honor their friends who never returned home.
"I'm looking forward to visiting all the war memorials, I really am, and seeing the names of some of my friends that would be on the wall," says Jensen.
The World War II veterans will be flying back home on Thursday after touring several memorials in Washington DC.
