Former President Barack Obama brought an unforgettable moment of gratitude to a plane full of veterans ahead of Veterans Day. The surprise unfolded Tuesday at Reagan National Airport, where Obama boarded the flight and personally thanked the veterans and their families for their service.
“The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country is something that will always be honored, and we are very grateful,” Obama told the passengers, his words resonating across the cabin.
Later that morning, he shared photos of himself presenting the Presidential Challenge Coin to veterans as they disembarked. Obama said he was “grateful” to give the veterans “a personal token of my gratitude.” The tradition of presidential challenge coins dates back to former President Clinton, with each president designing a unique coin to honor service members.
The flight itself came from Dane County Regional Airport in Wisconsin and was organized by the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit that provides free trips to veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After touching down, the 87 Korean and Vietnam War veterans and their families were greeted by dozens of supporters at the gate before heading out to visit war memorials on the National Mall.
“We just try to treat them with dignity that some of them didn’t get when they came home from the war,” said Capt. Mary Quigley, a retired Navy veteran and Honor Flight volunteer.
For many of the veterans, the welcome was overwhelming. James Nelson, an Air Force veteran, told Obama in the video posted online that it was “the joy of my heart” to see the crowd at DCA. “It’s good. We still got patriotic people in our country, and that’s good,” he added.
Other veterans aboard the flight—Army veterans Joe Parr and Greg Adkins, Navy veteran Nels Swenson, and Marine veteran Dennis Guptill—were equally moved, marveling at the reception and the recognition they received.
Quigley emphasized the simple but profound message of the day: “Every city in this country has got veterans in it, I guarantee it. Go up and say thank you, and just tell them how much you appreciate them.”
Since its first flight in May 2005, the Honor Flight Network has grown to 128 hubs in 46 states, honoring over 317,000 veterans nationwide. Tuesday’s event at Reagan National Airport was a vivid reminder of the power of gratitude and the lasting impact of recognizing those who served.
Watch the video below from CBS News:
