Honor Flight Network: The Mission Bringing Veterans to D.C.—and the Surprise They’ll Never Forget

Avgeekery
By Dave Hartland

On Veterans Day 2025, a heartfelt visit from a former president made an unforgettable journey even more meaningful.

It was already a day to remember.

On 8 November 2025, seventy-nine veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War arrived at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) from Madison, Wisconsin (MSN), as part of the Badger Honor Flight Network. This chapter of the Honor Flight Network, among many nationwide, brings aging veterans to Washington to visit memorials built in their honor.

As the door of the chartered American Airlines Airbus A321 opened, passengers were greeted unexpectedly by former President Barack Obama, who stood waiting on the jet bridge to welcome them.