Nebraska's second Heartland Honor Flight flew to the nation's capitol last Tuesday, making it possible for 117 World War II veterans visited the WWII Memorial along with the Korean War Memorial and other sites.

All travel free of charge thanks to volunteers and donors.

Imagine starting your day with a hand, or a hug – a sign that your service was appreciated by so many.

“We come out to thank our veterans for all they done for us. We thought it was the least we could do is stand out here and give them the hero’s welcome they deserve,” said Joy Schwartz, Arlington, Vir.

It was a special day for all the WWII veterans on the Heartland Honor Flight, but it was a little more special for Dale Morse of Beaver City. His granddaughter met him in Washington D.C. to share the honor flight experience.

“Oh, it's great. It's such an honor to be here with granddad,” said Kaitlyn Mittan, Washington, D.C.

And it’s an honor for vets like Frank Knopik of Lincoln.

“Beautiful, beautiful, I can't believe it. They did done a tremendous job, didn't they?” Knopik said.

Photos preserve the events of this day, but memories of service are just as clear.

“I was never out of the state of Nebraska when I went in the service. I was never out of the state of Nebraska. All at once, here I am. It's a rude awakening,” Knopik said.

“We swept mines in the east China Eea. Before each invasion we'd go in and sweep mines, you know,” he said.

While Knopik served in the Pacific, Dale Morse went to Europe with the 20th armored division.

“They had the Germans on the run when my outfit got over there. And we kept 'em on the run until the war ended,” Morse said.

Morse spent a year in the hospital after a grenade hit him.

“I saw the fella that threw it, but I didn't have a chance to get him,” he said, laughing.

Service and sacrifice was honored at the memorial built for them on a trip organized and paid for by volunteers and donors.

“They've put so much effort into it and raised so much money and worked so hard at it that I can't thank 'em enough,” Morse said.

Knopik said he’s thankful too -- for the trip, the memorial and his wartime service.

“I wouldn't take $1 million for the experience I had, but I wouldn't do it for a million dollars. That's the way it is in a nutshell,” he said.

An honor flight day is one long day, but it’s a fulfilling day for those veterans able to go.

The most recent Honor Flight ended on a sad note. Donald Dragoo of Lincoln died on the plane as it returned home, but his daughter was with him throughout the day and said it meant a lot to him to make the Honor Flight trip.

Several hundred veterans remain on a waiting list. The Kiewit foundation has promised a $200,000 donation if organizers can raise enough to match it.

For more information about the program or to apply, click here.