Tuesday morning dozens of veterans will take part in the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.
During those honor flights a few nurses from Heartland Regional Medical Center accompany the veterans in case there’s a need for medical attention.
Tuesday morning at 5am 87 veterans and their volunteer chaperons will fly from Marion to Washington DC for the 6th Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.
The one-day trip includes stops at memorials for WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam Wall, memorials for each branch of the military and a few more.
There’s also a small group of nurses from Heartland Regional that go for emergencies.
Nurse Stephanie Langley went of the 5th honor flight.
“It is truly an honor to serve the veterans for the day.”
Nurse Kristin Atchison also joined the last honor flight and was moved by the veteran’s determination.
“We had guys that could barely walk, but they made sure they got to stand and salute.”
Langley says the twice a year trip has become a cherished experience they look forward to.
“And now we have a group of nurses that’s going on each flight now there’s no hesitation, when’s the next one.”
Langley says the welcome home celebration gives the veterans acknowledgment for their service to their country.
“There’s some they start to cry; they didn’t get that when they came home years ago.”
For more information about the honor flight click here.