While it took longer to get back at to Green Airport than hoped for – the flight touched down after 12:30 a.m. Sunday -  the day 35 veterans spent in Washington DC was “an incredibly moving experience for every veteran, guardian and member of our team,” says retired Providence Fire Chief and founder of the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight. This was the 29th Honor Flight since Farrell and his volunteers started bringing veterans to the Nation’s Capital for a day of visiting war memorials, observing  the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and concluding with a dinner where each of the participating veterans is recognized. When initiated eleven years ago, Farrell focused on recruiting World War II veterans before they are gone and then Korean War veterans.

Sunday’s flight was largely made up of Vietnam War vets.

Farrell described the visit to the Vietnam Wall memorial as solemn with some veterans looking through the names of the deceased to find the names of their buddies.

“To a person the most common thing said to me was that this was one of the best days of their lives and for many of them especially our Vietnam War Veterans said this was the thank you and welcome home that they never received when they came home,” Farrell said.

Farrell thanked the RI Airport Corporation, TSA, airport fire and police departments who assisted with the transition through the airport  And he didn’t forget all of the family, friends, Honor Guards and general public who were there for the send-off celebration at 5:30 a.m.

“It means a lot to our veterans,” he said.

Farrell is already exploring the 30th Honor Flight for next spring.