Nationwide — President Barack Obama surprised a plane full of Korean and Vietnam War veterans traveling to Washington, D.C., ahead of Veterans Day, personally thanking them for their service and sacrifices.
The former president joined the veterans on a flight from Madison, Wisconsin, as part of the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit that provides free trips to veterans so they can visit memorials honoring their service.
According to ABC News, Obama’s voice came over the intercom, catching passengers off guard. “Hello, everybody. As we approach Veterans Day, I wanted to stop by and just say thank you for your extraordinary service,” he said. “The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country will always be honored, and we are very grateful.”
After landing in D.C., Obama greeted the veterans and their families personally, shaking hands, posing for photos, and sharing a few words of gratitude. He later posted a video of the encounter on X, writing, “Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in DC.”
On his Medium page, Obama reflected on the moment, noting that the veterans’ sacrifices are remembered “today and every day.”
The Honor Flight Network, founded in 2005, has flown over 300,000 veterans to Washington over the past 20 years, allowing them to honor fallen comrades, share stories, and connect with fellow servicemen and women.
The surprise visit transformed a routine flight into a meaningful tribute, leaving veterans with a memorable experience and a powerful reminder of national gratitude.