It was the greatest honor to be a part of the greatest generation for one day this past Saturday.

I was invited as part of the media contingent to participate in the Honor Flight program. Area World War II veterans were flown to Washington, D.C., by the Tennessee Valley Honor Flight program to view their World War II memorial.

While there, the honorees and their guardians also visited Arlington Cemetery, and the Iwo Jima and Korean War memorials.

The most amazing part of the journey was the attention given to the veterans by ordinary citizens.

Upon arrival at Reagan International Airport, thousands cheered as the veterans got off the airplane. Children held signs and flags thanking the veterans for their service while the band played and adults paid tribute.

Even travelers on their way through the airport would stop and ask about the proceedings. After being told what was happening, they would walk up to the veterans to thank them for their service.

All day the veterans were honored by those who understood what we have today is due to their courage and determination to protect our country.

Earl Davis, George Ford Sr., Charles “Doc” Thompson, Harry Turner, all of Athens, and Jesse P. Evans Jr., of Elkmont, were among those from Limestone County.

I had the privilege to sit with Thompson on the airplane. He talked about his days in the Navy as a deckhand. Even though he did not see battle he was aboard the USS Buckner that brought home 5,000 servicemen and women. Thompson said the last time he had flown was in the early 1970s. He said he flew to California to see Alabama play Southern California.

I also sat with Frederick Ross, a 91-year-old survivor of Pearl Harbor from Mississippi who served as a U.S. Marine.

Stories were told how a veteran met another veteran on the flight he hadn’t seen in 40 years. Others told of how Bill Hogan Jr. of Huntsville had served four tours — each ending on a stretcher.

Arriving back at Huntsville airport late Saturday evening, the veterans were once again welcomed home by thousands of cheering well-wishers. Each veteran received a scaled replica of the Statue of Liberty.

It was an incredible day.