Former President Barack Obama surprised a group of veterans on an Honor Flight on Monday, Nov. 10, personally greeting them before their tour of Washington, D.C. memorials.
Obama, 64, met veterans who had served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as they boarded their flight. “Hello, everybody,” he said warmly, sparking gasps and applause from those on board.
“As we approach Veteran’s Day, I wanted to stop by and just say thank you for your extraordinary service — to you, your family, and for the sacrifices you’ve made to protect our country,” Obama told the group. “It’s something that will always be honored.”
He added with a smile, “We’re very grateful — and we also happen to welcome you with a 70-degree day in D.C., which doesn’t always happen around here.”
The trip was organized by The Honor Flight Network, a national nonprofit that provides veterans with free visits to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments built in their honor.
Captain Mary Quigley, a retired U.S. Naval officer who led the tour, praised Obama’s unexpected appearance. “That’s the first time I’ve seen a president, former or current, greet an honor flight — and that is absolutely amazing,” she said. “A commander in chief who shows up to tell you your service was worth something — that means a lot.”
U.S. Air Force veteran James Nelson described the moment as “the joy of my heart today to see all these people.”
Another veteran told Obama, “The last time I got to see a president, it was Gerald Ford,” to which Obama replied with a laugh, “How ‘bout that?” Ford served as the 38th U.S. president from 1974 to 1977.
U.S. Army veteran Joe Parr shared, “I had tears in my eyes. I just couldn’t believe how many people were there to remember and greet us — it was unbelievable.”
Fellow Army veteran Greg Adkins reflected on how meaningful the warm welcome felt. “Back then, you got off the plane and there was no welcome — sometimes people even booed you,” he said in a video shared by CBS News.
U.S. Navy veteran Nels Swenson added, “I’m really happy that now, when troops come back from deployments, they’re welcomed home properly. That’s what should happen — and this flight helps recreate that feeling. It makes you feel good.”
U.S. Marines veteran Dennis Guptill echoed the sentiment, saying, “I haven’t flown in 50 years. I was in the military from ’72 to ’76, and our country has put up these memorials honoring the men and women who served. You couldn’t ask for something greater.”
