The 21st Central Valley Honor flight took off from Fresno to Washington, D.C., on Monday.

The flight was supposed to take place in April 2020, but was postponed due to a pandemic.

During the two-year delay, 25 veterans who were supposed to be on the flight died.

Each of these families received a box of shadows with a photo of a loved one and a flag that went to Washington.

After the flight landed, the veterans walked through the airport – a greeting that many have been waiting for all their lives.

“It’s something I never got when I left Vietnam – none of us got it,” John Linan said.

The oldest veterinarian on board was 100-year-old Dr. Gilbert Stokes.

While in the District of Columbia, a group of veterinarians visited war memorials and military museums built in honor of their service and those who made the supreme sacrifice.

“The most important thing there was the Arlington Cemetery,” Linan said.

“It’s stunning. Everywhere you look, there are rocks. It’s stunning,” Stokes said.

Both gentlemen had the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a sacred cause that few Americans experience.

If you or a veteran in your life want to sign up for an upcoming honorary flight, visit their website.