ORLANDO, Fla. — Veterans flying back into Orlando were greeted with a big crowd after an even bigger trip. This all came after a whirlwind trip to Washington D.C.

Not very many people can say they’ve walked off a flight, only to be greeted with bagpipes and a salute. Then again, not many people can say they risked their lives for our country, either.

The vets who landed at OIA were back from an all-expenses-paid trip organized by Honor Flight Central Florida.

They got the chance to travel through various memorials, many they’ve never seen before.

“We ended up at the Lincoln Memorial sitting outside of it, and just sitting and relaxing and thinking about the day,” said one veteran who had just returned home from the trip.

They were also thinking about their service, too. They visited the graves of those they served with, and saw memorials erected in their honor.

It was a whirlwind trip, but another surprise waited for them when they landed back home and heard all the cheers.

“That was great. Coming into here with everybody here talking, yelling, ‘Welcome home,’” he said.

A “welcome home” and a “thank you” is — unfortunately — something many vets didn’t get decades ago after a tour overseas.

“The Vietnam veterans, when they came home, they didn’t get any recognition. And there’s a lot of Vietnam veterans on this flight. It means a lot to me to show them we appreciate them,” said Joseph Civiletti Sr., a U.S. Navy Submarine Force Vet.

Honor Flight Central Florida says since 2005, they’ve flown over 250 thousand vets to D.C. If you’d like to donate to help, you can click here.