Obama surprises veterans with heartfelt greetings ahead of Veterans Day

Former president Barack Obama surprised a group of veterans in a heartfelt moment after they landed on a flight to Washington, D.C., ahead of Veterans Day, to visit memorials honoring their fellow service members.

Obama boarded the plane just before the group of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans were about to disembark for their tour, and he used the plane’s intercom to thank them for their sacrifice in service to the country.

“Hello, everyone,” Obama said from the front of the plane, causing the veterans who had flown in from Madison, Wisconsin to gasp. The interior of the plane was filled with American flags and red, white and blue streamers.

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Veterans aboard an Honor Flight from Wisconsin gather in a cabin adorned with American flags and red, white and blue streamers as they travel to Washington, D.C., to visit war memorials. (@BarackObama/X)

“What!” one person exclaimed, while another veteran wearing a red cap and jacket could be seen in disbelief with his mouth hanging open. The emotional greeting was captured in a video job to Obama’s X account.

“As Veterans Day approaches, I just wanted to stop and thank you for your extraordinary service,” the former president continued as veterans looked on astonished.

“For you, your family, the sacrifices you all made to protect our country will always be honored, and we are very grateful,” he added.

Obama could then be seen shaking hands with all the veterans as they exited the plane at Reagan National Airportpresenting everyone with a presidential challenge coin – a tradition in which presidents offer coins as a symbol of appreciation for their service or contributions to the nation.

A veteran reacts after hearing former President Barack Obama salute the Honor Flight over the intercom. (@BarackObama/X)

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“Before Veterans Day, I had the honor of welcoming a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in Washington,” Obama said in the X post.

“To all those who have courageously served our country, thank you and your family for your extraordinary service,” he added. “The sacrifices you all have made to protect our country will be honored today and every day.”

The veterans were aboard a flight organized by Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization launched in 2005 that provides free trips to Washington, D.C., to veterans’ memorials. The group operates in 46 states, has transported more than 300,000 veterans and is entirely funded by donations and volunteers, according to its website.

The veterans were greeted at the arrivals gate by streams of well-wishers.

“I had tears in my eyes,” Army veteran Joe Parr said. “I just couldn’t believe there were so many people around us who remembered us and were there to welcome us. It was just amazing.”

Former President Barack Obama speaks over the intercom to veterans aboard an honor flight as they arrive in Washington, DC, thanking them for their sacrifice ahead of Veterans Day. (@BarackObama/X)

Captain Mary Quigley, a Veteran and volunteer of the US Navy, said it was the first time she had seen a president salute one of the flights.

“A leader who’s going to come forward and tell you that your service was worth something — I think that’s the important part — so I think it was a good thing,” Quigley said.

Quigley said it was important that veterans be welcomed and recognized for their sacrifice, noting that many who returned home from past wars did not receive the same ovation.

“Back then, you’d get off the plane and you weren’t welcome and people would almost boo you,” said Greg Adkins, a U.S. Army veteran.

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U.S. Navy veteran Nels Swenson echoed those sentiments.

“I’m really happy that now, with the current troops, they’re coming back from deployments and being very well received – because that’s what should happen,” Swenson said. “So it’s recreated in this flight. It makes me feel good.”

Seventy-nine veterans and their families made the trip, according to reports.