SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– With support from PenFed Credit Union, two dozen Puerto Rican veterans have returned here from the first Honor Flight in history from the island to Washington, D.C. where they visited the monuments and memorials built in their honor. PenFed Credit Union partnered with the Honor Flight Network to make the unprecedented, all-expense paid trip a reality.
“PenFed loves Puerto Rico. PenFed loves veterans. Sponsoring this Honor Flight for Puerto Rican veterans was not only the trip of a lifetime for them, but it was also a beautiful way to express our gratitude and appreciation for their service and sacrifice,” said PenFed Credit Union President/CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO, James Schenck. “It was an honor to be in San Juan at the airport to welcome them home.”
The Honor Flight trip included veterans who served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. One veteran, 101-year-old Angel Acevedo Bernal, served in all three conflicts.
“When I heard about PenFed sponsoring this trip, it didn’t surprise me. What they say is what they do. PenFed made our dreams come true,” said Jose Irizarry, a Vietnam veteran who served in the 82nd Airborne Division. “I saw a Korean War veteran crying because he felt that everything he went through was erased today. We really appreciate this. A lot.”
PenFed said the distinguished veterans visited several iconic locations in the capital, including the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery.