Non-profit sends veterans to D.C for the 50th time

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Local nonprofit Honor Flight of West Central Florida recently flew 75 veterans from Tampa Bay to Washington D.C. at no cost. 

This day trip is to give veterans the chance to see the war memorials in our nation’s capital, including Gary Mull.

He said after previously being part of the group that welcomes veterans home, being able to go D.C. was an incredible experience. 

“Thinking back on all of the thousands and thousands of people whose names I came across today that gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom, it’s even more meaningful,” he said. 

Mull served in the Air Force as a medic for around eight years during the Gulf War.

He said the cheers and thanks from the hundreds of supporters who welcomed him home meant so much because everyone attending knows the event is not just about them.

He said all they support the honor flight so the heroes that fought for our country can be remembered by the veterans still here.

“When you see the names on the wall … that’s not just something that’s chiseled in the granite, that’s a life, that’s a person who has a family, a mother, father, sister, brother,” he said. 

There are two more honor flights taking veterans to D.C. this year. One is on Sept. 10 and another is on Oct. 22.