People will have an opportunity to welcome home 67 veterans from across the Central Valley at Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Wednesday.
The veterans, who are from cities from across the Valley, will be making their return as part of Central Valley Honor Flight No. 29.
The big picture: The airport will host a homecoming ceremony for the veterans and is asking anyone interested in attending to arrive around 5 p.m.
- The veterans traveled to Washington D.C. early Monday morning at no cost to them to see the war monuments constructed in their honor.
- Radio host and long-time Central Valley Honor Flight supporter Paul Loeffler will also host the Bulldog Football Hour at the airport from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Once the veterans return, the Central Valley Honor Flight will have taken 1,940 veterans to see their memorials across 29 flights since 2013.
- The next flight is scheduled for Oct. 14-16.
What they’re saying: “These 67 veterans have had some incredible moments over the last couple days, but a true welcome home is what so many of them have waited decades to experience,” Loefller said. “Come help us give them the unforgettable homecoming they deserve.”
About the veterans: This trip’s group of veterans are from 23 towns across seven counties in the Central Valley.
- There are five women and 62 men in the group, ranging from 67 to 95 years old with service years covering 1951 to 1997.
- Army veterans make up the largest branch on the trip at 26, followed by 18 Air Force veterans, 13 Navy veterans, eight Marine Corps veterans and two Coast Guard veterans.
- Fresno County is sending the most veterans on the trip at 32, while 15 are from Tulare County and a handful of veterans each from Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.
- George Clausen, 95, is the oldest veteran on the flight. An Air Force veteran from Woodlake, he still lives on the ranch that his great grandparents settled on in 1866. He served from 1951 to 1977, retiring as a full Colonel. He was a fighter pilot across the Korean and Vietnam Wars, coming home with dozens of awards, including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.
