Heroes welcome for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight veterans in Milwaukee Saturday night

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It was a heroes welcome for 102 U.S. Veterans returning to Milwaukee from a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Saturday night, Aug. 28.

For the 57th time, the organization flew veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C.

Saturday's flight includes men and women who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Two flights of of veterans arrived back in Milwaukee Saturday night and received a thunderous welcome home from tens of family members and citizens wishing to welcome home these men and women who served our country.

"You have to respect them and honor them," said Fred Haas, an Army Veteran.

Saturday's two honor flights took a total of 102 veterans to our nation's Capital to see the war memorials.

It was an emotional day for all the veterans on the flights

"A lot of closure for some Vietnam veterans especially," said Richard Thompson, a Marine veteran.

And also emotional for their families, who waited for them at the General Mitchell International Airport terminal.

"With the Vietnam war when he came back, it was not a great time. And he was not welcomed home. He didn't have anything like this. So I think it's going to be amazing for him to have family here," said Andy Steger, a son of a veteran on the honor flight.

Hearts were especially heavy after 13 service members were killed in Afghanistan just days ago.

"Nothing to say… they're all brothers," said Thompson.

"Just makes this even more difficult I think because we're so lucky because our guys came back," said Jean Brownell, a wife of a veteran on the honor flight.

It's a reminder of the sacrifices of service members, making this homecoming even more important.