The bagpipes echoed throughout the airport, flags waved and people of all ages cheered as veterans from throughout the state returned home at Madison Airport Saturday evening while hundreds upon hundreds of people lined the terminal shaking their hands and thanking them for their service. It was a welcome many of these veterans didn't received back in the days they served their country, but a welcome so very much deserved. 

These veterans were a part of the Badger Honor Flight program. Veterans from throughout south central Wisconsin who served during the Korean War, Vietnam War or WWII were selected to take a one-day trip to Washington D.C. where they toured memorials and monuments and witnessed the changing of the guards. Each veteran was accompanied by a chaperone for the day, which began at 6 a.m. flying out from Madison and returning to the airport at 9 p.m.

I had the wonderful opportunity to join the welcome party at the airport with my family. Ralph's great-uncle Howard Haase, of Juneau, was selected to participate in the program. He served in the United States Airforce during the Korean War and was based out of Alaska. Many members of the Haase crew met at the airport with signs and flags greeting Howard as he walked through the crowd. 

Badger Honor Flight organizers kept the crowd informed as to how far away the plane was from landing and when it landed as they waited in the terminal. Once the veterans arrived at the airport they walked down an aisle through a large crowd escorted by their chaperone and a member of the Army National Guard. Pictured below Howard reaches a few of his family members who greet him with hugs. The welcome home at the airport was kept a secret to Howard and most other veterans. Many seemed very surprised at the large crowd. Howard had no idea of his many nieces and nephews and extended family members who came to celebrate his arrival home.

Howard is pictured above in his uniform at his parent's home in rural Juneau during his years in service. It was truly a wonderful opportunity to thank these veterans for their service to our country.  The Badger Honor Flight is a regional affiliate of the National Honor Flight organization. The first flight for this affiliate was in 2010 and since then the Badger Honor Flight organization has flown over 2,000 veterans from the southern Wisconsin area out to Washington D.C. to see the memorials in their honor. Honor flight participants are nominated through an application process and are selected on a first-come, first-serve process. The program is free for participants and their guardians for the day pay a trip fee. Donations help make the program possible. For more information, visit badgerhonorflight.org.