• Article Photo. Veteran Darrell Ackerman poses at the WWII Memorial, with the Washington Monument behind him.
    Veteran Darrell Ackerman poses at the WWII Memorial, with the Washington Monument behind him.
  • Article Photo. Honor Flight participants visit the Air Force Memorial.
    Honor Flight participants visit the Air Force Memorial.
  • Article Photo. Many veterans stopped to visit the Air Force Memorial during the June 5 Honor Flight.
    Many veterans stopped to visit the Air Force Memorial during the June 5 Honor Flight.
  • Article Photo. The wall at the Air Force Memorial.
    The wall at the Air Force Memorial.
  • Article Photo. The view of DC from the Air Force Memorial.
    The view of DC from the Air Force Memorial.
  • Article Photo. Honor Flight veterans read thank you notes from students as they return to Iowa.
    Honor Flight veterans read thank you notes from students as they return to Iowa.
  • Article Photo. Veterans board the plane at the Eastern Iowa Airport as the Honor Flight begins Tuesday.
    Veterans board the plane at the Eastern Iowa Airport as the Honor Flight begins Tuesday.
  • Article Photo. After a long and inspiring day, vets received an enthusiastic welcome when they returned to CR.
    After a long and inspiring day, vets received an enthusiastic welcome when they returned to CR.
  • Article Photo. Veterans lined up to welcome home the WWII heroes.
    Veterans lined up to welcome home the WWII heroes.
  • Article Photo. The Ground Crew welcomed vets to Dulles International Airport.
    The Ground Crew welcomed vets to Dulles International Airport.
  • Article Photo. Iowa Scouts joined the welcome home celebration.
    Iowa Scouts joined the welcome home celebration.
  • Article Photo. A man from Belgium thanks an Iowa WWII vet for his role in liberating Europe.
    A man from Belgium thanks an Iowa WWII vet for his role in liberating Europe.
  • Article Photo. Hundreds of Iowans gathered to welcome home the veterans.
    Hundreds of Iowans gathered to welcome home the veterans.
  • Article Photo. Jillian Dietz, who lost her Marine brother in February, welcomes Iowa vet Maynard Manley to DC.
    Jillian Dietz, who lost her Marine brother in February, welcomes Iowa vet Maynard Manley to DC.
  • Article Photo. Scores of students from Massachusetts lined up to shake hands with each Honor Flight veteran.
    Scores of students from Massachusetts lined up to shake hands with each Honor Flight veteran.
  • Article Photo. Honor Flight: VS Vikettes, the first team to welcome vets to CR, pose with Cliff Baker of Vinton.
    Honor Flight: VS Vikettes, the first team to welcome vets to CR, pose with Cliff Baker of Vinton.
  • Article Photo. Mail Call: Honor Flight Veterans read thank-you letters from students as they return to Iowa.
    Mail Call: Honor Flight Veterans read thank-you letters from students as they return to Iowa.
  • Article Photo. All day long, Iowa veterans heard strangers, including many students, thank them for their service.
    All day long, Iowa veterans heard strangers, including many students, thank them for their service.
  • Article Photo. Honor Flight: A member of the DC 'Ground Crew' greets Vinton WWII veteran Norm Walker with a kiss.
    Honor Flight: A member of the DC 'Ground Crew' greets Vinton WWII veteran Norm Walker with a kiss.
  • Article Photo.

He walked slowly along the brick path of the Korean War Memorial, looking at the 19 statues representing U.S. troops and at their reflection along the wall to his right.

He saw many others doing the same thing. Then he stopped as he saw a man in a wheelchair, wearing a red shirt and a white cap. When he saw the words "World War II Veteran" stitched on the side of the cap, he knew he had to say something.

"Did you serve in Europe?" he asked.

"Yes," was the reply.

The man didn’t say his name, but he told the veteran which country he was from: Belgium. Finally, 68 years after U.S. and Canadian troops liberated his country from Nazi occupiers, he could say thank you.

And he did.

Several people gathered around, listening as the Belgian thanked the vet, and they remembered events that took place nearly seven decades ago.

This scene took place this past Tuesday, as scores of Eastern Iowa veterans toured several war memorials as part of the Honor Flight event.

For several hours on Tuesday, the Iowa veterans -- including Vinton residents Bill Fuchs and Norm Walker -- received hugs, handshakes and thanks from countless people.

People like Jillian Dietz.

Jillian and her three young daughters: Maddy, 6; Sophie, 5; and Abby, age 2; were at the end of the line of Washington-area residents who volunteer to come and greet Honor Flight veterans.

Most of these members of the group known as the "Ground Crew" are either veterans or the family members of soldiers or veteran. Each one has a particular story; a reason to come and shake the hands of total strangers and say "Thank you for your service."

Jillian's reason is personal and painful. Her older brother, Lt. Col Thomas Budrejko, a helicopter pilot, completed a mission in Kosovo, and several in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was back home in February, training to be the Commanding Officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303.

But Lt. Col. Budrejko died with six other Marines when two helicopters collided during a training mission Feb. 22 in Arizona.

His sister now goes with her children to Dulles International Airport, to find comfort for her pain while thanking others.

"We are all part of the same family," she said, as she watched her daughters, even young Abby, shaking hands with the veterans from Iowa.

Another Ground Crew member, Teri Hopkins, has had two sons who served in the War on Terror. They returned safely; Teri now visits the airport to welcome World War II veterans.

"This is the best thing in the world," she said as she greeted the Iowa veterans with hugs and smiles, and asked them where they had served.

This happened all day, in every place the veterans went.

A teacher from Cape Cod walked up to one of the Honor Flight volunteers near the Iwo Jima Memorial, and asked about the group of men in red shirts. Soon five busloads of Massachusetts eighth graders were lined up, as each student shook hands with each veteran. After several minutes, the veterans noticed that the words coming from the students were said with a much different accent; a busload of Texas students had gotten in line so they too, could say thanks.

"I'm just dumbfounded," said one Iowa veteran. Many were moved to tears by the expressions of gratitude.

"Best day ever," said another veteran.