KRDO13 telethon helps send 86 Veterans to D.C. in first Honor Flight out of Colorado Springs Airport

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Honor Flight of Southern Colorado sent its biggest crew yet to D.C. this morning, thanks to the over $86,000 KRDO13 viewers donated last April.

KRDO13 hosted a telethon last Spring for Honor Flight. The community showed out in such a major way that the local chapter could afford to save the trip to Denver for its veterans. Instead, they flew charter out of Colorado Springs for the first time.

153 total individuals are making the trip, including an Honor Flight of Southern Colorado record of 86 veterans.

The chapter invited KRDO13 morning anchor Josh Helmuth and chief photographer Chappin Everett to travel with the crew and document their trip.

Honor Flight is a nationwide organization helping veterans fly to D.C. for free to visit memorials to their service. Part of their mission is to help the veterans experience the hero's welcome they may not have received when returning from their military service.

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.