Veterans from the local area traveled to Asheville, North Carolina and joined with other veterans to fly to Washington D.C. to tour several monuments that memorialize their service. Along their journey, the veterans humbly accepted the congratulations of hundreds of veteran supporters in Asheville and the Washington D.C. area.

Local veterans who participated from the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 15 of Walhalla included Navy veterans Norman Sutherby (of Pickens County), Jimmy Hall, Doug Olson (of Pickens County), and Larry Jones. Larry Jones participated as a Guardian. Bob Walker, a member of the Seneca Marine Corps League Detachment 1131, also made the trip. Members of American Legion Post 124 in Walhalla included George Dunagan and Earl Blakely, who are both Army veterans also participated.

Blue Ridge Honor Flight of North Carolina, based in Asheville, sponsored the flight and is part of the national Honor Flight Network that has flown well over 300,000 veterans to our nation’s capital. Currently, Blue Ridge Honor Flight of North Carolina is accepting applications only from veterans who served from December 7, 1941 to May 7, 1975. Veterans who served during this time frame are encouraged to consider participating in the next Honor Flight, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, leaving from Asheville. Contact Blue Ridge Honor Flight at https://www.blueridgehonorflight.com/ for more information.

Pictures of Honor Flight participants are below.