WASHINGTON D.C. — The Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight took around 150 people to Washington D.C. on Tuesday, April 16, to visit the war memorials and monuments at the nation’s capital, and they invited KRMG to tag along.
Sixty-eight veterans, mainly from the Vietnam era, left the Hardrock Casino in Tulsa at around 6 a.m., and they returned late that night to tornado sirens at the Tulsa International Airport.
The veterans visited the Korean War Memorial, the World War II War Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. However, most of the soldiers wanted to see the Vietnam War Memorial, or as they called it, “The Wall.”
Gary Lyons served in the Army and went to Vietnam in 1968. He was drafted into the Army and never expected a trip like the Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight.
“My name had been in for a long time, and I just ruled it off. Maybe I get to see it? Maybe I don’t. Then, I got the call to come and see it,” Lyons said. “I’m excited to see it. I’ve never been to Washington D.C.”
Lawnie Hass Sr. attended with his son Lawnie Hess Jr. The elder Hess told KRMG that a lot of soldiers came home with post-traumatic stress disorder, but he tried to leave all of that in Vietnam. He didn’t want to burden his family with what he saw there.
Senator James Lankford visited the veterans as they were getting started that morning and wished them all well.
The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier was a highlight for the veterans. They watched the event with reverence and respect.
While speaking to the former soldiers, they spoke openly about being spat on, cursed at, and even assaulted when they came home from Vietnam. They did not get a hero’s welcome until Tuesday night when they arrived at the airport. When they left the plane, over 100 people lined the airport, cheering on the veterans. Chants of “USA! USA! USA!” could be heard ringing throughout the airport.
There were signs, cheerleaders, and countless family members smiling and cheering.
On the flight home, they had “mail call,” and each veteran received letters from family, friends, and strangers, thanking them for their service. It was an emotional experience for the veterans and the volunteers who helped them during the event.
