Baton Rouge gave Honor Flight veterans a cheering welcome home

Dozens of veterans came home to a cheering crowd at Baton Rouge Metro Airport late Saturday, April 11, after a trip to Washington, D.C., WAFB reported. People waved American flags and wore patriotic clothes. Honor Flight Louisiana arranged the flights at no cost to the veterans. The station said the travelers had served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Vietnam War veteran Vance Sutton had flown on an earlier trip and came to the airport for this welcome. He told the station the signs and the moment overwhelmed him. Anna Sanders, the event coordinator, is a veteran who has flown with the group before. She said she contacted each veteran ahead of the 2026 trip, and that she knew the day would matter because her own flight had. The group chooses veterans first come, first served, and a guardian, often a family member, usually travels with each one. A late-night welcome at one airport does not replace the homecoming many of them missed. It is the greeting Baton Rouge showed up to give.