The San Diego International Airport was packed at Terminal Two on Sunday as dozens of people welcomed home 90 veterans from their three-day trip to Washington, D.C. The trip was organized through the nonprofit Honor Flight San Diego.
“This is why we’re able to do what we do and that we are in a free country and that they’re the ones who sacrificed for us,” said Sharon Faurot, the wife of a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Navy.
Faurot was joined by her daughter in the crowd awaiting her husband’s return from his Honor Flight.
“He was in helicopters. He also did Apollo pickups. He was on the Apollo pickup crew for 11, 12 and 13 — the famous 13,” said Faurot.
Harold Faurot, Sharon’s husband, was on the Honor Flight with his best friend and some family who served as his guardian during the trip to D.C. Faurot told NBC 7 that when he returned home from the Vietnam War back in the day, the only warm welcome he received was from his family.
“You just didn’t talk about it, you hid out from it — stayed away from anything that was against the war,” said Faurot. “The war caused so much division you just sort of accepted it, just try to steer clear of all that,” he added.
Sunday’s return home however was a completely different story. Dozens of people cheered and held signs to welcome veterans back from their trip. The veterans had departed from San Diego International Airport on Friday to tour the nation’s Capitol, and to see first-hand what they laid down their lives to protect.
“The biggest significance I think is the sacrifices that they made and the families making the sacrifices that stay behind for the support as well, too. But just the pride in country and pride in knowing that their families are proud of them,” said Faurot.
Honor Flight San Diego is a nonprofit that is operated entirely by volunteers and donations. To support the organization and to find out more about upcoming Honor Flights, visit their website.