File Photo Veterans exit Minot’s airport terminal to flags and welcome home signs after their Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 28.

The first Honor Flight from Minot to take veterans to see Washington, D.C., memorials took off and returned at the end of April.

There were 118 veterans and a number of volunteers on the Honor Flight, which returned April 28. A cheering crowd filled the Minot airport terminal to welcome the travelers home.

Russell Hanson, an Army veteran from Watford City who served in Vietnam and Grenada, called the trip impressive. Although he had seen the monuments previously, he said, “This was special, being with the guys.”

Western North Dakota Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization created to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. The flights transport veterans to Washington, D.C., with priority given to the senior veterans – World War II and Korean War survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.