SWFL veterans welcomed home after Honor Flight

An honor flight full of Southwest Florida heroes returned from the trip of a lifetime on Saturday. The veterans spent the day in Washington DC, seeing memorials that honor their dedication to our country.

The honor flight landed at RSW with a large group of people waiting, ready to welcome them home.

For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The community is glad their dream was made possible, and it showed.

Red, white and blue, the sounds of patriotic tunes and cheers filled the halls of Southwest Florida International Airport. Family, friends and supporters welcomed 85 veterans home.

“He was desperately excited. It’s an honor for him,” said Linda Hyde, who was waiting to welcome her husband home.

The Collier-Lee Honor Flight is back from Washington DC. The event was canceled for the last two years due to the pandemic.

World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Cold Car veterans were all on the flight.

Hyde’s husband, Charles, was one of them. He had been hoping to get the chance to take the trip, and the opportunity finally came to be.

“The tears have started already. I’m anxious to see him and see how he enjoyed it,” said Linda Hyde.

She’s glad he’s back home and excited to hear all about the trip.

Monica Popaduke’s father was a marine. She said this is her 6th Honors Flight in his memory. She participates and welcomes groups back.

“Means a lot to me that this happens because they were shunned when they were coming home for their service, and they didn’t deserve that. In his memory, I do this to welcome them home appropriately with love and respect,” said Popaduke, who prepares goodie bags with sweet messages for each veteran. “It feels amazing. I’m so glad and so grateful that we can do this again. It meant so much to them.”

The veterans made the memorable journey thanks to $80,000 in donations.