SPOKANE, Wash. — Dozens of local veterans are traveling to Washington D.C., through the Inland Northwest Honor Flight, to visit the memorials dedicated to their service.
Veterans gathered early at Spokane Airport, with some arriving as early as 5 a.m. to depart for the trip. The experience gives military veterans an opportunity to witness the public recognition and appreciation for their service, organizers said.
For Army veteran Terry Iverson, the visit holds deeply personal meaning.
“It is going to be a very interesting day for me. I have a friend on the wall. Bob Wise from Coeur d’Alene that I am going to look up. I graduated high school with him, and he didn’t make it back, so I am going to mark his name on a piece of paper,” Iverson said.
The Honor Flight program relies heavily on volunteer support to operate. Volunteers handle trip logistics and organization, while others serve as guardians, companions who accompany individual veterans throughout the entire journey to ensure they feel safe and cared for.
Michael Routte, an Air Force veteran, is filling the guardian role for the eighth time on this trip. Routte first participated in an Honor Flight as a veteran before transitioning to volunteering in the support role.
“I want to help my fellow brothers and sisters. This is a great trip. They do a fantastic job of getting us around, and I just thought some of these guys could use some help,” Routte said.
The community is invited to welcome the veterans home on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the general ticketing area of Spokane Airport.
Those interested in becoming a guardian or applying as a veteran for a future Honor Flight can find more information at inwhonorflight.org.
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