For day two of the Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight’s Mission 14, breakfast brought a new day, some new threads and another adventure to honor the veterans.

But first, former Navy/Marine corpsman John Farrell took to the podium

"A long time ago, I was a toy builder, making Snoopy Sniffers for a company called Fisher Price in Holland, N.Y.," he said. "But on a 30-degree day in Nov. 1965, I raised my right hand and I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution [and the] United States against enemies, both foreign and domestic."

With that in mind, it was time to start on the road to visit Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier gave calm and another chance to process what this trip means for everyone on the Honor Flight.

"Spirit, spiritual togetherness and everything," remarked Russell Ward, an Army veteran and one of the flight’s honorees. "We've had different guys speaking, it's brought tears or different people's eyes and stuff like that. And, you know, took us back to all of our troubling times and everything that we've worked through. And, well we've come to a good point in our lives so that we get to be older all the types of people."

The changing of the guard and laying a wreath and sounding the bugle for fallen brothers and sisters brought a hyper-focus to the years of collective service and sacrifice by these men.

On the way out, the group stopped by the nation's most decorated Purple Heart recipient in Captain Joe Hooper, who was six times injured in the line of duty

The group then made their way across town to a flag raised over the Pacific and spoke with a crew of veterans who have served with honor, courage and commitment as part of the few and the proud.

"It's been really fantastic and other kids and, and people around here always wishing you know, saying thanks to you and everything else. It was really nice," said Marine Corps veteran and three-time Purple Heart recipient James Mahoney.

He was loyal to his country like his friend and fellow Marine Robert Seltz is to him.

"It touches my heart to be here,” Seltz said. “I'm a guardian for Mr. Mahoney. And we've been friends now for a little over 10 years. When he asked me if I would be his guardian it was I almost cried.”

Time was winding down on this Honor Flight and it's time to move yet again.

The group took in the sights and sounds of the Air Force memorial, overlooking the Pentagon and then stopped at the World War II memorial.

For anyone who knows the legend of 'Kilroy' -- we found him.

But what you wouldn't find on this trip is World War II vets to be honored. This time, it’s by design but it's a trend we'll see more on these missions to D.C.

For now, these Vietnam-era veterans honor their forefathers but are reminded of how future generations have started to come around and remember them.

"I was telling my children their big departure from Buffalo, that this is the first time that I felt proud of being a Vietnam veteran," said Army veteran John Kellner.

Making our way from an era to a service the last memorial we visited belonged to the Navy, but we heard how this trip is just the tip of the iceberg for what some of these men have gone through and hope to be recognized for.

"[We] never had a parade. Never thought about me. I've been out the army 50 years," said Army veteran John Jenkins who said he really did appreciate the trip and support from Honor Flight, but whose years after the uniform didn't reflect didn't feel like he'd just gone and served, even gotten injured for his country.

Jenkins was honored, and his son Keith Scott was able to help his father get the most of this mission and learn a bit for himself along the way.

"I'll ask him questions and he will tell me certain things if I ask, but I've talked to other veterans as well," said Scott. "It's just not easy to express certain things. But I think as we continue to have things like this, it opens the door for that type of reconciliation."

He reflected on the trip she's guided for a hometown gal in Strykersville's Andi Smith.

"I always run into somebody who knows someone from my family,” he said. “So it makes me happy."

This unique mission hits differently.

"When they get down that specific and to have all Purple Heart recipients, how much more special can that be," asked Smith. "This group was really ready to be here. And they were ready to get down to the wall and there was a lot of healing that happened down there."

It was time for one last meal and then back to the airport but not before the honored veterans themselves noting how this trip has impacted them -- half a century later.

"The feeling you get from people just say welcome shaking your hand, giving you a hug it was very like I said very emotional," said Army veteran Patrick Garrigan.

After checking in back in Baltimore it was time to head back north after all of the memories, emotions and reflection.

"It's been an incredible journey," said Army veteran Gregory Holland. "It was wonderful. I was thrilled to see the wall one more time. I've got quite a few friends on the wall. To say goodbye was special.

Back in Western New York at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the pomp and circumstance never letting these honor flight veterans underestimate their service and how they'll remember this day."

"It's kind of like going to church," said Hollan. "[It’s] very good for the soul.

Twenty-nine Vietnam-era veterans made their way through the airport -- all present -- beloved -- and accounted for.