JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twenty-two veterans spent the day in the nation’s capital as part of the First Coast Honor Flight Program to share service stories and visit war memorials.
The veterans were escorted through the Jacksonville International Airport early Saturday morning for the seventh First Coast Honor Flight. For the first time, this trip includes two married couples, all four veterans experiencing this together.
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James and Betty Powers both served in the Army during the Vietnam War. They met in Korea and have been married since 1982.
“I have never been to the memorials in Washington,” James Powers said. “I would like to see it and see any names on the walls of people that I used to know.”
Betty Powers said she lived there in the 70s.
“I will be looking forward to seeing the changes that I’ve come about since then at the different monuments,” she said.
The second couple, Walt and Jean Miller, have been married for 70 years. They served in the Korean War.
“We really are appreciative for everything that has happened so far,” Walt Miller said. “We are looking forward to going to the memorial.”
Candace Mabry, the First Coast Honor Flight president, talked about what it’s like having two married couples on the trip.
“It’s unheard of,” Mabry said. “When I heard about it in the beginning that there were two couples and they are still together, they are adorable.”
Betty Powers said she’s happy for her husband.
“I am more honored for my husband because he was the Vietnam vet who dodged the bullets during the war and came out safe,” she said.
James Powers is happy his wife was able to go with him.
“It is good that she is able to go with me and experience it with me since she knows a little bit about Washington D.C. more than I do,” he said.
Among those in attendance was 101-year-old World War II Navy veteran Roy Benson. He served on the USS Bush and the USS Cape Esperance.
The next honor flight is scheduled for Oct. 4.
