El Paso community invited to welcome home Rio Grande Honor Flight veterans

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Rio Grande Honor Flight carries veterans to visit national memorials built in their honor. On Sept. 26, those veterans will return to the El Paso International Airport, and the city invited the community to welcome them home.

Anyone can attend the free celebration. The City of El Paso said families can take American flags, welcome home signs and messages of appreciation to create a memorable homecoming.

Veterans will return to El Paso at 4 p.m. The celebration will be in the airport's main lobby.

According to the Rio Grande Honor Flight Website, the next trip takes off Thursday.

The first Honor Flight took off in 2008, according to the website.

Earl Morse, a retired Air Force captain, heard veterans talk about wanting to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., but knew some couldn't afford it. As a private pilot, Morse asked some veteran if they would like him to fly them to see the memorial.

The website said the first Honor Flight carried 12 veterans in four small planes -- and the Honor Flight was born.

During Honor Flights, guardians help with luggage, wheelchairs and meals. Veterans travel for free while guardians volunteer and cover their own expenses, according to the website.

ABC-7 previously aired an Xtra depth report on a Rio Grande Honor Flight. ABC-7 Chief Meteorologist "Doppler" Dave Speelman joined a flight and shared the story of Vietnam War Veteran George Want. Watch the full report here.