CINCINNATI -- Russell Carr said he remembers using small gas burners in tanks to heat up potatoes.
Carr, a 99-year-old WWII veteran, has many memories from decades ago, and he'll relive some of them Tuesday when he travels to Washington D.C. to visit war memorials.
Carr was among 70 Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force veterans who participated in Honor Flight Tri-State, an initiative that flies any vet older than 65 to the capital for free.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Pipe & Drum Corp welcomes 70 veterans on the #HonorFlight today. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/oUCF5nbkgN
— Ally Kraemer (@AllyKraemer) April 17, 2018
Traveling to Washington D.C. is not always financially or physically possible for veterans, Honor Flight Tri-State's website says, so their mission is to make the trip a reality.
Carr said he waited about two years for his Honor Flight.
“There's this ‘fella who goes to church with me, and he kept after me and said, ‘C’mon, let’s go,’ and I said, ‘OK, I’ll go,'" Carr said.
Eleven WWII veterans, 20 Korean War veterans, 16 Vietnam War veterans and veterans from 23 other conflicts made the trip.
Tuesday’s Honor Flight was the first of the year. Another trip is scheduled for May.
The welcome home rally will take place at 8:15 p.m. in the lower terminal of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
And they’re off! Thank you for your service, we’ll be here at @CVGairport to welcome you home this evening at 8:15. #HonorFlight @WCPO pic.twitter.com/q0LRGyBfCA
— Ally Kraemer (@AllyKraemer) April 17, 2018
