Veterans take off for free trip to Washington, D.C.

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Patriot Flight honors veterans with trip to Washington, D.C.

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Dozens of heroes from the Capital Region took off early Wednesday from Albany International Airport to fly to our nation’s capital.

War heroes and veterans are receiving a free trip to Washington, D.C.

It’s all thanks to a nonprofit volunteer organization called Patriot Flight, the Capital District hub for the National Honor Flight Network. Each year, they send off veterans from World War II, pre-Korean War, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Cold War eras.

They will spend the day visiting war monuments, Arlington National Cemetery, and other historic sites.

Sean Lyons’ father was a Vietnam vet. He said he never got the chance to be properly welcomed home.

“And they get the time to heal and talk about things that they have never had a chance to. And sometimes now, 50 years from the Vietnam War, where these gentlemen will finally open up and heal. And that’s what the day is about, is healing.”

This was the first trip for Edward Page, who served in the U.S. Navy right out of high school and eventually the Army National Guard. He also has served in Germany and Iraq and eventually retired in 2005.

“It’s just an exciting thing for me. I look forward to doing all of it as much as I can,” he said.

They will arrive back in Albany around 11 p.m. with a welcome home ceremony from friends, family and their community to close out the day.