HEBRON, Ky. — The Honor Flights are once again transporting veterans after grounding all trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fifty-three years after returning home from Vietnam, the memories remain raw for Roby LeJeune.
"We’ve seen some action over there I guess once or twice. I don’t talk about that," said LeJeune.
He made it home, but he said he wasn’t greeted with open arms.
LeJeune said he is still struggling with health conditions like neuropathy and retinopathy from Agent Orange. The toxic chemical was used by the U.S. against the opposition during combat.
"When I came through the United States they threw tomatoes, they threw eggs. We were treated like a piece of garbage and that was for 20 years," said LeJeune.
But today, the 74-year-old who served in the Air Force from 1964-68 as a communications technician will receive the kind of welcome that he never had as part of Honor Flight Tri-State.
"It makes you feel like you’re a veteran. I know I’m a veteran, but it makes you feel like somebody cares for the veterans," said LeJeune.
For the first time in two years, Honor Flight Tri-State is back in business after being grounded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Onboard were 59 Vietnam veterans, two World War II veterans and five who served in the Korean War among other American heroes.
"We like to give them the thank you they never had and the welcome home so that they really know that they’re not forgotten," said Cheryl Popp, director of Honor Flight Tri-State.
Embarking on her 76th trip, Popp said it’s a meaningful way to say thank you for their service and sacrifice.
"We see the guys with hats in Walmart and restaurants; they didn’t buy that at a gift shop, they earned it."
The veterans will spend the day touring a number of memorials and this includes seeing the changing of the guard ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Jeff Schmidt, LeJeune's guardian, Honor Flight Tri-State said, "Our veterans today just don’t get the respect that they deserve and things like this just mean the world to them, and it's great as a non-veteran to be able to be a participant in this."
LeJeune said he is looking forward to reconnecting with other veterans.
It’s a long day, but one that organizers hope will leave lasting memories for these heroes and their families.
"I can’t explain how good it is to finally have somebody that takes care of veterans and don’t have to worry about it."
The welcome home festivities will begin around 8:35 p.m. Tuesday at CVG airport.
Honor Flight Bluegrass has an upcoming flight scheduled for Oct. 20 out of Louisville.