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"The greatest thing to ever happen to me." Veteran reflects on Honor Flight

By Megan Strader

KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

11:31 AM CDT, May 26, 2011

(Cimarron, KAN.)

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It's hard to miss the twinkle in 85 year-old Jim Hardesty's eye when he flips through the book of pictures.

"This one is of me and my brother."

Only about a month old, the pictures tell the story of the Cimarron man's Honor Flight - a trip he earned more than 65 years-ago.

"18 years-old, you registered, got a number and when your number was up you went in the service."

He and several dozen other World War II veterans traveled to Washington DC in April with the Central Prairie Honor Flight, free of charge. It's the same trip Eyewitness News was on two years ago.

Honor Flight gives men and women the chance to see the memorial built in honor of what they did - the National World War II Memorial.

"When you walk in there, things just get kind of quiet. You look around and those guys are looking down with tears in their eyes. It was the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."

And since he's been back, he's made it his mission to spread the word about the donation based program, to make sure more vets get to experience the same thing.

"If you know of a WWII veteran and he hasn't been there, encourage him to go, absolutely."

He also encourages anyone who has the means to donate to the charity, ensuring more flights are able to go.

The smile on Hardesty's face, will let you know it's worth it.