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Honor Flight 7 participants at the World War II memorial.

U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Ala., thanks Vietnam veteran Willie Wilkerson for his service.

Vietnam veteran Willie Grimes boards a charter bus in Washington.

Rep. Martha Roby greets Lamar Maddox of Andallusia.

A well-wisher greets Fred Winkler, accompanied by Julie Winkler Kane and Wyatt Sasser, as veterans move through the airport Wednesday.

Yogi Somrude of Samson

Fifty-three veterans, guardians and staff members made their way to the nation’s Capital on Wednesday as part of Covington Region Honor Flight’s 2017 trip.

The program takes World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans, free of charge, to Washington, D.C., for the day, where they visit sites as the Air Force Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korea and Vietnam Memorials, Lincoln Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Four World War II veterans, Korean and Vietnam veterans spent some 24 hours on the road and in the air to take the trip.

Korean Era Army veteran and Andalusian Fred Winkler said he particularly liked Arlington National Cemetery.

“I really enjoyed the history,” he said.

Winkler spent time in Germany during the Korean Conflict.

World War II Navy Veteran Robert Grimes of Georgiana said that his favorite part was the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

“This was my first time,” he said.

Grimes said he was stateside during World War II.

Birmingham World War II Army veteran Jean Knowles Parks said that his favorite part was the World War II Memorial.

Parks had plenty of family members visit him in Washington, including his son and grandsons.

Navy veteran Lamar Maddox, 91, of Andalusia said he spent time during the war from Rhode Island to Norfolk, Va.

“I liked the changing of the guard,” he said.

Vietnam Veteran Daniel Wood said he liked the changing of the guard.

He spent 11 months and 20-something days in Vietnam.

Among the highlights of the day was a visit from U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Ala., who represents the Wiregrass area in Congress.

The weather was sunny for the Honor Flight trip, Covington County’s 7thth.

“We had much better weather than we did on our last trip and for that we are thankful,” said CRHF Chairperson Kendra Majors. “This was a wonderful trip. We are so grateful to those who so graciously donated to help make this trip possible. We had an amazing group of veterans and guardians who participated. We look forward to planning our next trip.”

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