Looking through scrapbook photos of their “Honor Flight”, brothers Thomas, left, and Gene Buettner reminisce about their trip to D.C.

Both Gene and Thomas feel as if the experience brought them the recognition they did not receive when they returned home from war — there were no parades, no hero’s welcome and very few thank-you’s.

“We felt humbled and appreciated,” Gene explained with emotion. “It gave me goose bumps.”

Thomas’ son Michael and grandson Travis traveled alongside both as guardians throughout the trip.

Their “Honor Flight,” which was a day trip, began with a flight from Port Columbus International Airport to Baltimore Washington International Airport. After landing, they were honored with a water canon salute sprayed onto the plane by a fire truck.