Veterans from William F Green Veteran’s Home receive special Tour of Honor at National Naval Aviation Museum

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Veterans from the William F Green Veteran’s Home received a warm welcome Thursday, as they arrived at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola for a Tour of Honor.

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“I feel honored. You know the Korean War veterans have mostly been overlooked. It’s called the Forgotten War. But I’ll never forget it,” said Wilburn Sanders, a Korean War veteran said.

Community Hospice puts on the yearly event, where veterans are given a guided tour of the museum, tailored to the conflicts they served.

But perhaps the most special part of the day was when the veterans from all lines of service sat with the newest generation of service men and women, passing words of wisdom.

Veteran Mary Bennett’s advice, “Just hang in there. Sometimes it’s hard, just hang in there. They’ve got good training, you can get a good education. Sometimes you don’t get stationed exactly where you want to be but usually it’s for the best,” Bennett said.

“I look at them today and say I was 20 years old when they got me in the military. But this country’s worth fighting for,” James Emanual a Korean War veteran said.

Community Hospice said Thursday’s events were a small thank you for a big sacrifice.

And it’s a day that means just as much to the old and young alike.

“They look forward to this event every year. As soon as they pull up on the tour bus they see the sailors man the rails. And then they come out and they’re met with so many sailors and so many staff to welcome them to the museum. They are delighted to be here,” Tim Buttell, Vice President of Community Hospice said.

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“It makes me feel pretty good knowing that this older generation is kind of passing the torch to us and seeing us off and giving us a little insight,” Evan Feagin an Airman Apprentice said.

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