Photo By Master Sgt. Jessica Littlejohn | U.S. Army Soldiers from the 81st Readiness Division welcomes veterans home Sept. 12,...... read more read more
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Veterans journeyed from Columbia Metropolitan Airport to the nation’s capital Sept. 12 to visit memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice, returning home later that evening to an unexpected welcome from Soldiers, family members and members of the community.
The flight marked the first Honor Flight conducted by the Central Savannah River Area chapter, providing Korean War and Vietnam veterans an opportunity to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C., built to honor their service and the sacrifices of their fellow service members.
Soldiers from the 81st Readiness Division joined Honor Flight volunteers, families and community members to support the veterans' departure and welcome them home.
Honor Flight is a volunteer-based program dedicated to honoring America's veterans by providing them an opportunity to visit the memorials dedicated to their service in Washington, D.C. The program also seeks to ensure veterans experience the honor, gratitude and community support they deserve.
For many of the Vietnam veterans on Saturday's flight, the trip carried an added significance. More than 50 years after returning home from Vietnam, some had never received the welcome and recognition they deserved.
That changed Saturday evening.
As the veterans returned to Columbia Metropolitan Airport at approximately 8 p.m., Soldiers from the 81st Readiness Division, families, volunteers and community members gathered to welcome them home.
Soldiers stood at attention and rendered honors as the veterans arrived. For some of the veterans, seeing Soldiers salute them became one of the most meaningful moments of the trip. Some veterans even returned the salute.
“Seeing the Soldiers standing at attention and rendering a salute to these veterans was one of the highlights of the trip,” said 1st Sgt. Travis Blackwelder, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 81st Readiness Division. “They felt truly honored by the recognition, and some even returned the salute.”
For Vietnam veteran Senior Master Sgt. Joseph A. Rampino, the reception provided a powerful reminder that his service had not been forgotten.
“After leaving the service, you don't think anyone cares, and then something like this happens, and it's just overwhelming,” said Rampino.
Earlier that morning, Soldiers and volunteers arrived at the airport before sunrise to assist with the Honor Flight departure. Beginning at 5 a.m., personnel helped move wheelchairs from storage, stage them for distribution and assist veterans with check-in before the flight departed at approximately 7:30 a.m.
While the morning's mission focused on helping the veterans begin their journey, the evening's homecoming became the priority.
Soldiers in dress uniforms helped create a military presence for the returning veterans, while families, volunteers and community members gathered to greet them.
“It was important to us to have as many people as possible here when these veterans came home,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jim Ott, Mission Command Support Group. “For some of our Vietnam veterans, this may be the first time they have ever experienced the kind of welcome home they should have received more than 50 years ago.”
For the Soldiers participating in the event, the opportunity to welcome the veterans home was about more than supporting an airport event. It was an opportunity to honor a generation of service members whose sacrifices helped shape the Army and the nation they serve today.
The Central Savannah River Area chapter plans to continue its mission of honoring veterans, with a second Honor Flight scheduled for May 2027.
For a generation of veterans who waited decades to hear it, the message waiting at Columbia Metropolitan Airport was simple - welcome home!
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2026 16:00 |
| Story ID: | 574651 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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