Veterans Receive Letters on Honor Flight

117 area veterans visited Washington, D.C., and received messages from loved ones during an Arlington, VA event called Letters from Home.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Military

Veterans Receive Letters on Honor Flight

Live Poll

Do you think the U.S. honors its military veterans well enough today?

117 veterans took part in an Honor Flight visit to the nation's capital, and on Monday they received letters from loved ones during an event in Arlington, VA called Letters from Home. Some veterans received dozens of thank-you letters from grandchildren and schools.

Why it matters

The event recognizes veterans who did not always receive a warm welcome when they returned from combat decades ago. For Virginia readers, it highlights local veterans and the families who support them.

The Honor Flight group included 117 veterans, and U.S. Army veteran Jeff Geiger served from 1972 to 1992. Figures on total letters delivered were not reported.

The players

Jeff Geiger

Jeff Geiger is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1972 to 1992 and received letters from his 6-year-old grandson's class during the event.

Dave Colborn

Dave Colborn is a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War who delayed applying for the Honor Flight so older veterans could go first.

The details

Veterans visited Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight and attended Letters from Home on Monday in Arlington, VA, where they received letters from family members. Jeff Geiger's 6-year-old grandson's class created letters for him, and Navy veteran Dave Colborn delayed his own application so older veterans could go first.

Monday (November 2, 2026): Letters from Home event held in Arlington, VA.
Tuesday, just after 6 p.m. (November 3, 2026): Veterans return home.

Military Context

Some veterans returning from Vietnam-era combat did not receive a warm welcome, a history that Honor Flight events like this one are designed to counter. The Honor Flight program has taken veterans to Washington, D.C. to see memorials built in their honor.

Families of participating veterans in Virginia can expect public recognition events to continue as Honor Flight groups return. Veterans and their families may also gain access to similar letter-writing programs from local schools and community groups.

The takeaway

Letters from family and community members can offer lasting recognition to veterans whose service was overlooked in the past. Readers can support similar efforts by writing to local veterans or contacting Honor Flight organizers in their area.