The big story in the Tampa Bay region Tuesday night isn’t just the Tampa Bay Rays' Game 4 against the Boston Red Sox.
It’s also the return of 80 World War II veterans who have spent the day touring some of the closed war memorials in Washington D.C.
Having a crowd at the airport for the WWII veterans “homecoming” is an important part of the trip sponsored by the West Central Florida Honor Flights.
“When these guys came home from the service, they did not get a huge welcome home,” said Barbara Howard, board member with the West Central Florida Honor Flight. “Many of them just took the bus, took the train and got to their homes, went back to work, went back to their wives and families and nobody said thank you, thank you, thank you. And what they've done for this country is immeasurable.”
The Honor Flight welcome home celebration is in the baggage claim area at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport at about 8:45 p.m. Parking is free and the event is open to the public.
