Former President Obama surprises veterans traveling to Washington on honor flight

WASHINGTON (WMTV/Gray News) - Veterans aboard an honor flight this weekend got a big surprise as they landed in Washington, D.C.

Former President Barack Obama was there to greet the veterans.

Obama spoke on the intercom of the plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Saturday to greet 87 veterans and their guardians.

“We want to thank Honor Flight, but the sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country is something that will always be honored, and we are very grateful,” Obama said to the veterans. “And we also happen to welcome you with 70 degree day in DC, which doesn’t always happen around here. So appreciate you, we’ll see you out here. Be safe getting off board.”

The former president posted a video and photos of the greeting on Tuesday, as he marked Veterans Day. He also thanked all who served.

“Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in DC,” Obama shared on social media. “To all those who bravely served our country, thank you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you have made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day.”

Obama said he handed each of the veterans a Presidential Challenge Coin as a personal token of his gratitude. The veterans he greeted served in Korea and Vietnam.

Honor flights provide veterans with a free trip to Washington to see the memorials that have been created in their honor.