Home Sweet Home: Honor Flight veterans return to PIA after memorable day in Washington, D.C.

PEORIA (25 News Now) - In a year filled with trials and tribulations for the Central Illinois community, around 75 veterans flew to the nation’s capital to visit memorials built to honor their sacrifice to our nation.

The Greater Peoria Honor Flight took to the skies just as the Sun rose at 6:47 a.m. Tuesday morning for the fourth and final scheduled flight for 2022.

Some of the passengers aboard included WWII veteran Theodore Albert, 15 Korean and Cold War era veterans along with 61 veterans who fought in the Vietnam War. 25 News Morning Reporter Brett Brooks spoke with Army veteran Terry Sours about the journey it took for his fellow soldiers to finally see the respect they should have received decades ago.

“When I come back from Vietnam nobody knew me, nobody knew who I was, who I stood for or nothing. It gives me great pride to know that there’s organizations out here that’s doing this for the veterans.”
Terry Sours - Army Veteran

That well deserved homecoming came Tuesday night at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport. Just outside the terminal, crowds of family and friends packed the airport awaiting to greet their heroes with patriotic signs and plenty of hugs.

Central Illinois welcomes home veterans after final Greater Peoria Honor Flight for 2022.(WEEK)

According to Greater Peoria Honor Flight’s Facebook page, some of the stops on Tuesday’s agenda included: the Arlington National Cemetery, WWII Memorial, FDR Lincoln and MLK Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial as well as the Marine Corps War Memorial.