Nearly 40 veterans and guardians will take part in next month’s Covington Region Honor Flight.

Board member Greg White said originally, the plan was to fly out of South Alabama Regional Airport like last year’s trip.

“But we realized we couldn’t fill the seats,” he said. “We’re going to fly commercially from Pensacola, Fla.”

White said less than 10 of the veterans from the World War II era are going on the trip, the rest are Korean veterans.

“We are excited about going,” he said. “The volunteers have really stepped up. Participating in Honor Flight is a very rewarding thing. Some of us didn’t have the opportunity to serve, but all of us have a real opportunity to express our gratitude to those who did. It’s a very nice gesture the community makes to these participants.”

Those attending will leave Andalusia Oct. 1 at 3:15 a.m. from the First Baptist Church parking lot.

White said the group is expected to arrive at Reagan National Airport around noon.

During the trip, veterans will tour the World War II Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, where they will observe the changing of the guard and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Additionally, they will visit the Korea Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial.

The group is expected to arrive back in Andalusia shortly after midnight.

“We ask people if they can to come and help us send these veterans off and bring them back home,” White said.