Twenty-four local veterans took a special trip this week thanks to Honor Flight of Idaho, the local branch of the national nonprofit created to thank veterans for their service.

The Idaho veterans, accompanied by 12 guardians, traveled to Washington, D.C., to spend the day visiting national memorials. Southwest Airlines donated the tickets for the trip, Honor Flight donated the rest.

The veterans returned to the cheers of an appreciative crowd on Friday.

Last year, the national Honor Flight network took more than 18,200 World War II veterans to the capital. Top priority is given to senior WWII veterans and any veteran who may be terminally ill, say organizers.

The WWII Memorial was dedicated in 2004, nearly six decades after the end of the war. Many Idahoans who fought in that war have never seen the monument. Honor Flight tries to remedy that situation. The organization welcomes donations. Contact Lance Stephenson, director, at 283-9651.