'It's an honor:' Emotional stories from a trip to US Capitol with Blue Ridge Honor Flight

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — What began in the mountains as an idea to bring World War II veterans to the newly minted World War II Memorial nearly 20 years ago, has exploded nationwide.

The Honor Flight Network has served hundreds of thousands of veterans over the years from hubs across the country.

This past weekend, on April 27, around 90 veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. from the Asheville airport -- some for the first time -- on the Blue Ridge Honor Flight.

Before the sun came up, they were ready to go -- on what would be, for many, the trip of a lifetime -- at the Asheville Regional Airport, and after a full day in the nation's Capitol, veterans and their families touched down again in Asheville after the sun had gone down.

“Eighteen years, it never gets old,” said Blue Ridge Honor Flight President Jeff Miller.

The honor flight is his family.

Miller's father, a WWII veteran, died before he could see the memorial in 2004.

For nearly 20 years, he's made sure that doesn't happen to other vets.

VIETNAM WAR VETERAN COUPLE MARRIED 50 YEARS SHARES STORY AHEAD OF BLUE RIDGE HONOR FLIGHT

Making the trip

Wayne Richards traveled four-and-a-half days by car, from California, to see the Vietnam Memorial for the first time.

“To be with family is really special,” said Richards.

He came all this way, so his granddaughter, Jemma, could be his guardian.

“My grandpa was interested in going, so I thought I could be his guardian and that would be a good opportunity to learn even more from him because I look up to him,” said Jemma.

Days away from his 99th birthday, Julian Austin, a WWII Navy veteran, also made the trip.

“He’s my hero,” said Austin's guardian, Lt. Col. Frank Herbet. “Julian set the depth charge that brought the submarine up where we captured the Enigma in World War II, the German decoding device. He’s responsible for saving hundreds of thousands of lives.”

Julian was one of three World War II veterans traveling to the capitol, along with five Korean War veterans and around 80 Vietnam veterans.

The veterans were given a hero's welcome upon arrival in Baltimore before heading south on the Washington Parkway to the WWII memorial.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held for Gold Star families as well as representatives from veterans who served in all three wars.

“I hope that they’ll remember what these people did," said Kevin Austin. "This is the last of the greatest generation.”

Austin lives in Marion and came to D.C. with his kids and grandkids to see his dad, Julian.

“He’s a character, trust me,” said Kevin.

“I don’t know whether you’d call me a hero or not," said Julian. "I was just there.”

AFTER FULL DAY IN US CAPITOL ON BLUE RIDGE HONOR FLIGHT, VETS RETURN HOME TO WARM WELCOME

'Each one has his own story'

Veterans then visited Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial before heading back towards the National Mall.

That's where News 13 met Duane McCutchan, a 90-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Korean War.

“We were sub-hunters,” McCutchan said.

Saturday was his first trip to the Korean War Veteran's Memorial.

“I think it will be emotional, but I think I think I’ll appreciate that emotion,” McCutchan said.

He viewed his first honor flight as a chance to connect with other veterans.

“Each one has his own story," he said. "Each one has his own scars, and it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be around those folks.”

Wayne Richards has scars... Scars of being one of the survivors.

“I was lucky," Richards said. "I was on a cruiser in the Tonkin Gulf, never had a moment that I felt fearful for my life, unlike many of these who died.”

At the Vietnam War Veteran's Memorial, he was moved to tears seeing active military helping facilitate honor flight groups.

“You see guys like this, volunteering -- it is touching to be honored like that,” he said. "To have come home safely, but these guys didn’t, it is touching. You can’t help but think about it and be touched.”

Jeremiah Richards, Wayne's son, is a Veterans Affairs chaplain and an experienced honor flight guardian.

He sees his dad's internal struggle.

“He sometimes tends to downplay his service because he didn’t see combat,” said Jeremiah.

But for Jemma, Wayne's granddaughter, she only sees him with love and total admiration.

“I definitely look up to my grandpa, and this has just enriched that feeling for me,” she said.

“Every one of these trips are top of the list for special days of the year, and then when I’m here with my dad and my daughter, it just tops it," said Jeremiah. "I don’t know how the day could get better.”

The trip to the memorial was cathartic for many, including Gold Star brother Charles Harris.

His brother, Jerry Harris, was the first soldier killed in Vietnam from Buncombe County.

“When he died, I was drafted at that time and I thought that I was going to be going in to serve, but when you lose a family member you don’t have to go,” said Harris.

Healing through a proper welcome home

Catharsis, something especially important to the Miller family.

“I’m glad that the people of the United States think more of veterans now than they used to,” said Rob Miller.

Rob Miller served in Vietnam.

He's the cousin of Blue Ridge Honor Flight President Jeff Miller.

“He’s very stubborn, like most Marines, and especially the Vietnam guys, and it’s taken me a long time to get him here, but we did through family pressure," Jeff Miller said about his cousin. "He’s as important to me as anybody ever has been to get on this flight."

“You’d like to go, but you never do, and then I got this chance," said Rob. "Jeff got me a chance to come, so here I am.”

Jeff Miller gave the chance to so many to be received differently.

“You see the tears, the smiles, but it’s all happy, it’s all a part of a healing process that we get to contribute to," he said.

He's talking about the welcome home.

"That really is the best part,” said Miller.

Veterans returned home after a long day of travel to family and community members waiting in the hangar cheering them on, waving American flags.

It was an incredibly emotional experience for many veterans, some visibly crying.

“The honor flight is just that -- it’s an honor,” said McCutchan.