Trace Adkins sends off WW II Heroes Flight with the National Ant - KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather & Sports

More than 30 World War II veterans from all over East Texas departed on a trip of a lifetime Thursday morning.

They're headed to Washington DC for an all-expenses paid weekend trip, thanks to the Brookshire's Company. They will see some of our nation's biggest landmarks, including the World War II Memorial, which was completed in 2004.

It's the company's fourth World War II Heroes Flight, and they left from the Brookshires on Rice Road, but not before country music star, Trace Adkins sang the National Anthem to them.

Each one of these veterans can tell you about the battles he saw during World War II -- like Jerry Higgs of Flint, a Navy veteran who was in the Battle of Anzio off the Mediterranean in 1944.

"I was on a boat that took the soldiers into the beach and then opened up the front and they ran right out into the Germans facing them head on," he said. "And it was very bad. But we made it. We survived."

And now, these survivors, most of whom have never met before, are taking the trip of a lifetime to relive a bit of their own history.

"I'm looking forward to this trip because I want to see if my name is on the World War II monument," said former Marine Aalon Ferguson of Longview.

"What's your guess? Do you think it is?" I asked him.

"I think it is, right," he said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing that World War II memorial that took us so long to get built, and now it's there for all mankind to see for now on," Higgs said.

Country music superstar Trace Adkins was on hand to send them off this morning. Afterwards, he told us it was such an honor to be associated with the trip.

"It's just such a noble cause," he said. "I mean, these old veterans need to be able to go to DC and see that monument that's been built for them there, because really it's breathtaking. It's an awe-inspiring place."

And these veterans say they are honored to be able to go and see their memorial.

"It makes me appreciate what this country stands for, and all of my fellow comrades, I appreciate them so much more," Ferguson said.

"I just thank God I could be here with these guys," said Navy veteran Garrett Smith of Athens. "You get to thinking about it, guys that range from 84 to 93, that's a pretty old group. We're headed on out of here pretty soon, but it's a privilege to come and be with them and visit our capital."

KLTV reporter Bob Hallmark is going along for the trip and will bring you updates on these patriots and there dream trip from the road.

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