Veterans of Kern County’s first Honor Flight have held a reunion in central Bakersfield, with many seeing each other for the first time in five years.

The dozen vets as well as their families at Wednesday’s lunch say it was a chance to catch up, lift their spirits, and remind the community of the sacrifices made by those who served.

Honor Flights take vets to visit several memorials at the nation’s capitol. About 18 of the 21 vets who were on that plane ride are still with us.

Kelli Forsch