Obama surprises Honor Flight veterans arriving in Washington: 'We are very grateful'
Former President Barack Obama surprised a group of veterans in a heartfelt moment after they touched down on a flight into Washington, D.C., ahead of Veterans Day to visit memorials...
By Fox News · Fox News
Former President Barack Obama surprised a group of veterans in a heartfelt moment after they touched down on a flight into 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 took to the plane’s intercom to thank them for their sacrifice in serving the country. "Hello, everybody," Obama said from the front of the plane, drawing gasps from the veterans who had traveled from Madison, Wisconsin. The interior of the plane was filled with American flags and red, white and blue streamers. TRUMP RALLIES US MILITARY'S MIGHT, FLOATS ARMED FORCES PAY RAISE IN ADDRESS TO TROOPS IN JAPAN "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. THIS VETERANS DAY, LET’S DO MORE THAN JUST SAY ‘THANK YOU’ TO OUR NATION’S HEROES "Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in D.C.," Obama said in the X post. "To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service," he added. "The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our c…