Valley veterans visit Capitol Hill, get Congressional welcome during Honor Flight
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A group of valley veterans is enjoying the sights and sounds of Washington, D.C.
The first stop on Tuesday was the Capitol building.
For Ron Lee, there’s just one word to describe the experience: “Terrific. I’ve been to Washington, D.C., but not in this detail.”
Lee decided to join the 34th Central Valley Honor Flight after a little nudge from the Fresno Veterans Home.
He said, “I really wasn’t planning to do it, but they convinced me I should come on the flight.”
Our cameras were not allowed on the House floor, but the veterans got a special visit from Congressmembers Jim Costa, David Valadao, Adam Gray, Tom McClintock, and Vince Fong.
“When I walk up the steps at night, done with my job, I think, ‘My gosh, you know, how lucky I am to have the honor and the privilege to represent the people of our valley,'” said Costa.
“It’s a huge honor because I know obviously you have the opportunity to be here with so many folks who obviously put their lives down for our country, are willing to risk everything for us, and give them an opportunity to see the House floor and see the Capitol,” explained Valadao. “They fought for freedom. And this is one of the biggest signs of freedom around the world.”
The day was also full of surprises, including a brother and sister duo surprising their loved one, Ron Wollak.
“It blew me away. It really did. I would never expect this in a million years.” Wollak said.
The group visited the World War II Memorial, the Navy Memorial, and the Enola Gay, which is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
They return to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Wednesday at around 6 p.m., where the public is encouraged to welcome them home.