Thursday marked an extra special day for local veterans and former Packers players, venturing on Brown County's first Flight of Champions Honor Flight.
70 veterans spent the day in Washington D.C. The Flight of Champions Honor Flight is a way to thank veterans for their service and welcoming them back home.
These veterans served in different wars, such as World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. Each veteran is accompanied by a companion, including former Packers players. NBC26 spoke with one veteran before the flight took off Thursday morning.
"I think it's important that we get honored a little bit,” said Vietnam Veteran Tom Debruin. “We weren't treated too well when we got back so it's nice to finally be appreciated."
Tom says this is his first trip to D.C. he says he's excited to see the wall and the changing of the guards.
The Honor Flight is scheduled to land at Austin Straubel Airport between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. They encourage the public to come out and give these veterans a warm welcome home. If you want to come out, they ask everyone be here by 7:30 p.m. and there's free parking at the airport.
