PORTLAND, Maine — It was a busy Friday morning at the Portland Jetport as more than 50 Maine veterans got ready for the last Honor Flight Maine trip of the year.
The veterans, their sponsors, and staff from the organization will make eight stops on Saturday around Washington D.C., touring the memorials and monuments dedicated in honor of their service. The group will visit the World War II Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Military Women's Memorial, among other stops.
Gerald Cloutier is a lifelong Lewiston resident and a Korean War veteran. He's making the trip to the nation's capital with his son and said he's excited to visit some of the newer memorials in D.C. that he hasn't seen before.
Another aspect that makes this trip special is the opportunity for veterans to connect with active duty service members and with themselves. In fact, after Cloutier spoke with NEWS CENTER Maine Friday morning, he walked right over to fellow Korean War veterans to introduce himself.
Matthew Mank, the chairman of the board of Honor Flight Maine, said watching veterans interact with each other and share stories of their service is one of the best parts of these trips. This year, more than 250 veterans were able to make the free trip to Washington D.C..
"It's really enjoyable because there are so many [veterans] with so many experiences. It's a good time," Korean War veteran Rose Mary Donovan said Friday.
Donovan is 100 years old and is a former nurse for the U.S. Navy. Donovan is on the trip with her daughter, and while she doesn't know exactly what to expect on the trip, she's excited to meet fellow veterans along the way.
The final Honor Flight Maine trip of the year will end where it began, at the Portland Jetport, for a welcome home ceremony that will happen around noon on Sunday, Oct. 20. The public is welcome to come surprise the veterans, celebrate them, and thank them for their service.