Pictured Friday are Ralph Derby, David Kreig, Oliver Smith, Daniel Zepka and David Remington at the Fenton History Center where they gathered before the beginning of an Honor Flight trip. Not pictured are Roger Adamczak and Charles Fryer, who were picked up later in Dunkrik. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

Seven local veterans had the chance to take part in an Honor Flight trip to the nation’s capital.

Honor Flight is a nationwide nonprofit organization that celebrates the nation’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at some of the nation’s memorials. The trip takes the veterans to Washington, D.C., and was put together through the Vets Finding Vets Program of the Fenton History Center.

The seven veterans who took part in the trip include Oliver Smith, Ralph Derby, Daniel Zepka, David Remington, David Krieg, Roger Adamczak and Charles Fryer. The first five gathered Friday at the Fenton History Museum for refreshments and entertainment. The group then headed to Dunkrik to pick up the other two. They were escorted by the Legion Riders motorcycle group, which also fundraised to be able to pay for the veterans’ second night at the Aloft Hotel, ensuring that the veterans do not have to pay anything for the flight. The Buffalo/Niagara Honor Flight pays for the first night.

“During the trip they will see the war memorials,” Barb Cessna, Vets Finding Vets coordinator, said. “This includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the 9/11 Memorial. They will eat well — though they don’t know that yet.”

The seven veterans were able to go on the trip this year after seeing an article talking about the Honor Flights in the news and reaching out to Cessna. Some applied as long ago as 2017 but were unable to take part back then as the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way.

Derby, who served in Germany and Berlin in 1961, said he was excited for the trip, especially with his family’s history. “My father-in-law and uncle served in World War II,” he said. “My nephew was in the Army in 1997 or ’98 and served in Bosnia.”

Kreig served in Vietnam in 1972, helping to pick up pilots who were shot down at Haiphong Harbor. He was most looking forward to seeing some of the monuments that he has not had the chance to see yet.

“I’ve seen some years and years ago but not the World War II one,” Kreig said. “And my son is going with me. If the weather is good it should be a good day.”

Remington served from 1956 to 1962, helping with the guided missile Ajax during the time of Korea. Smith served in the U.S. Air Force before Vietnam officially started.

Adamczak and Fryer both served around the time of Vietnam as well.

Zepka served seven years in total, from 1967 to 1970, and again from 1976 to 1980. He served in Vietnam and Korea.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the sites,” Zepka said. “I’ve seen them before but I would like to see them again. I wish we could see the White House. I’m also looking forward to meeting and seeing other Vietnam veterans being honored.”

Another trip to Washington, D.C., for Purple Heart Veterans is set to take place on June 16 and 17, with three local veterans set to go on that flight.