Alaska News

Honor Flight veterans return to Anchorage on Saturday

Alaska veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Alaska Territorial Guard now touring national monuments in Washington, D.C., will return to Anchorage on Saturday. The public is invited to join the "heroes' welcome" celebration at Stevens International Airport.

Ron Travis, president of Last Frontier Honor Flight, which arranges the tours for veterans, said the plane is expected to arrive at 12:15 p.m. He advised people to start gathering between 11 a.m. and noon. An information table will be set up to direct attendees to an area on the second floor ticketing level near the main TSA security gate.

"We'll have some parking validation for people," Travis said. "We'll keep handing them out for as long as they last."

Travis said an orchestra will be playing before the welcome ceremony to keep the crowd entertained as they wait. The color guard, consisting of members of the Junior ROTC at Colony High School in Palmer, will be accompanied by a bagpipe and drum group as they escort the 23 returning veterans through security.

This is the second Honor Flight from Alaska this year. Airfare is provided by Alaska Airlines, which has been part of the program since 2012. Additional costs are covered by contributions from the community. The flights are free to veterans, who are selected from a pool of applicants by age. Information and application forms are available at lastfrontierhonorflight.com. About 50 veterans take part in the program each year.

Mike Dunham

Mike Dunham has been a reporter and editor at the ADN since 1994, mainly writing about culture, arts and Alaska history. He worked in radio for 20 years before switching to print.

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