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!" exclaimed one person, while another veteran in a red cap and jacket could be seen in disbelief with his mouth wide open. The emotional greeting was captured in a video posted to Obama’s X account.
"As we approach Veterans Day, I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for your extraordinary service," the former president continued as the veterans looked on in astonishment.
"To you, your family — the sacrifices that you all made to protect our country is something that will always be honored, and we are very grateful," he added.
Obama could then be seen shaking hands with every veteran as they exited the aircraft at Reagan National Airport, presenting each with a presidential challenge coin — a tradition in which presidents give coins as a symbol of appreciation for service or contributions to the nation.
Former Presidnet Barack Obama speaks over the intercom to veterans aboard an Honor Flight as they arrive in Washington, D.C., thanking them for their sacrifice ahead of Veterans Day. (@BarackObama/X)
Capt. Mary Quigley, a U.S. Navy veteran and volunteer, said it was the first time she had seen a president greet one of the flights.
"A leader who’s going to show up and tell you that your service was worth something — I think that’s the important part — so I think it was a great thing," Quigley said.
Quigley said it was important that veterans are welcomed and acknowledged for their sacrifice, noting that many who returned home from past wars weren’t offered the same ovation.
"Back then, you got off the plane, and you had no welcome, and people were almost booing you," said U.S. Army veteran Greg Adkins.
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U.S. Navy veteran Nels Swenson echoed those sentiments.
"I’m real happy that now, with current troops, they come back from deployments and they get welcomed back really nicely — because that’s what should happen," Swenson said. "So it’s being recreated in this flight. It makes me feel good."
Seventy-nine veterans and their families made the trip, according to reports.
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-surprises-honor-flight-veterans-arriving-washington-we-very-grateful