Thirty-five veterans headed to Washington D.C. on Oct. 9 as part of the Honor Flight. Three of them were selected to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

That’s where a guard has protected the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since April 6, 1948, 24 hours a day, every day, even through the rain and snow.

Inside lie the remains of three unknowns, soldiers who died during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War who were never identified.

"We did a job," said Ed Piniarski, an Army veteran during the Korean War. "Some of us didn't come back. Some of us did."

This trip, the Buffalo/Niagara Honor Flight had the honor of paying their respects by laying a wreath at the tomb. 

"I’ve watched it on TV several times and I said for me to do that, that's great," said Piniarski.

"It was a terrific honor for me to do that with the two gentlemen I did it with," said Denny Wittmeyer, an Army veteran in the Vietnam War.

These vets walked in the footsteps of presidents, honoring not only those who lie in rest here, but everyone who has given their life in service to this country.

"The ceremony you are about to witness is an Army wreath laying ceremony to be conducted by Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight. It is requested that everyone stay silent and standing during this ceremony," said the tomb guard who announced the group.

It is a ceremony that carries a solemn weight with it.

"I was really impressed, scared and wondering how I would react, but it was really moving to me," said Piniarski.

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for these three men, who understand exactly how much this means.

"That was unbelievable," said Wittmeyer. "It's such an honor to do that. It's just amazing. Just amazing. I don't know what to tell you."

The entire Honor Flight was able to talk to a former tomb guard from Western New York after the ceremony to learn more about his experience.