San Diego-area veterans tour key memorials in Washington, D.C.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Nearly 100 veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War flew to Washington, D.C on Friday as part of Honor Flight San Diego. The group is now touring some key memorials and monuments honoring their service.
Some of the stops the veterans will make include the the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Here's a brief explanation of each:
— World War II Memorial: Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this memorial honors the 16 million Americans who served in World War II. It features 56 granite pillars representing U.S. states and territories, a central fountain, and two large arches for the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
— Korean War Veterans Memorial: Also on the National Mall, this memorial pays tribute to the 5.8 million Americans who served in the Korean War. It includes 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers in a field, a Wall of Remembrance, and inscriptions honoring those who were killed, wounded, or missing.
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— Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Perhaps the most solemn, this memorial includes the iconic black granite wall engraved with the names of over 58,000 Americans who died in or were missing from the Vietnam War. Nearby are the Three Servicemen statue and the Vietnam Women's Memorial.
For many of the veterans, the experience may draw deep emotions as they reflect back on their time in the armed forces.
Honor Flight San Diego, organized by a nonprofit made up of volunteers, has been facilitating these trips since 2010, providing veterans with the opportunity to visit the memorials built in their honor. The organization relies on donations and volunteers to cover the costs of the trips, ensuring that veterans can participate at no expense to themselves.
The veterans apart of this Honor Flight will return to San Diego on Sunday. They will be greeted dozens of friends, family and community members at the airport, who will line the terminal to express their appreciation for the veterans' service and sacrifices.
KUSI's Paul Rudy and Chris Hansen are joining this April's San Diego Honor Flight and will be providing more coverage throughout the weekend.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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