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ranchandcoast.com 46 APRIL 2025 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE O ur objective is to thank these veterans, and to give them the welcome home they've earned," says Saundra Cima, a board member of Honor Flight San Diego, which later this month will be flying nearly 90 World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Founded in 2010, Honor Flight San Diego and its all-volunteer corps have escorted more than 2,000 veterans to Washington, all expenses paid, fêting them on their Tour of Honor with dinners and other events in the nation's capital. e number of living World War II veterans is quickly dwindling, but there will be three on this month's trip from San Diego, including Russ Loftman, who lives in Rancho Santa Fe and turns 97 this month. Prioritizing older veterans and those who are ill is paramount. "We make them feel like royalty," says Cima, who got involved after attending the return of an Honor Flight to San Diego in 2015. e youngest World War II veterans are nearing 100, and most Korean War veterans are nearing 90. But our Vietnam War veterans are now in their eighties, and three years ago the program opened to them as well. Among those who will be making the trip are Brigadier General Mike Neil, a Vietnam veteran who grew up in a Marine family, largely in San Diego. Neil earned two Purple Hearts and a Navy Cross for his actions in combat. Also making the trip is Neil Black of Carlsbad, an Air Force veteran who was shot down and held as a POW in Vietnam for 2,703 days from 1965 to 1973. "Many veterans avoid talking about their experiences, especially Vietnam veterans," says Cima, emphasizing the fact that not only did Vietnam veterans not receive a welcome home, they were even denounced as war criminals. "We were advised not to wear our uniforms when traveling in the United States," says Larry Brooks, another Vietnam veteran who will be honored on this year's tour. Tour of Honor Showing our veterans the appreciation they deserve BY BILL ABRAMS | PHOTO BY DOUG GATES Focus military Dwight Wait, Russ Loftman, Saundra Cima, Mike Neil, and Larry Brooks PHOTO SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE INN AT RANCHO SANTA FE