Borderland veterans head to the nation’s capital for annual Honor Flight

A group of veterans was escorted to El Paso International Airport for the 11th annual Honor Flight of Southern New Mexico and El Paso.

It was still dark outside Tuesday morning when a charter bus filled with veterans was led by local law enforcement to the airport.

For some, the journey started in Las Cruces, while veterans from El Paso joined the group outside the terminal.

All 30 vets sported a yellow jacket as they waited to check in for their Washington, D.C. flight.

The trip comes at no cost to the vets and token of gratitude for their service in the U.S. military, many of whom fought in World War II, Vietnam and the Korean wars.

Fred Apodaca, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, stood in line patiently as he waited to check in at the airport.

He told ABC-7 he was impressed with police escort on the way to the airport.

Apodaca will get to visit the very same memorials that honor his service and the ultimate sacrifice made by some of the veteran’s fellow comrades.

“It means closure because I had some friends who lost their lives in the supreme sacrifice for our Constitution and a great America,” Apodaca said.

Apodaca said he made a promise many years ago to the mothers of his fallen friends that he would visit their memorials in Washington, D.C.

The Honor Flight is made possible from donations by business and community leaders.

“They didn’t get the welcome home that they deserved. It also helps them with the healing process,” said Arnold Diaz, vice-chair of HFSNM and El Paso.

The group of veterans will return on Thursday.