Hundreds Ride In Procession Escorting Medal Of Honor Recipients
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FORT WORTH (CBS11) - You may have noticed a little more traffic Wednesday evening just north of DFW Airport, but you may appreciate the reason why.
An honor guard up to ten miles long escorted a group of Medal of Honor recipients on their way to Gainesville from DFW Airport.
Eighteen Medal of Honor recipients left the airport for a series of public events designed to give Texans an opportunity to connect with the veteran community.
Law enforcement from across the area gathered with motorcycle clubs to offer a 21-gun salute and a presentation of colors.
It's all part of a tribute to the recipients of the country's highest award for valor in action.
During the next few days, the honorees will take part in Gainseville's Medal of Honor Host City Program. That's where members of the public get to meet the recipients and express their gratitude for each veteran's service to our country.
It has become an annual tradition for an honor guard to escort the procession from the airport, and the group grows each year. More than 500 vehicles were expected to participate in the ride.
Riding towards the front of that group was Medal of Honor recipient Gary Wetzel. He tells CBS11 it still makes him proud to meet with the public and share his experience.
"For me it's been four and a half decades since I received the Medal of Honor, and even though it's four and a half decades, every time, every time I have the privilege to wear that blue ribbon around my neck, I'm so in awe of what it stands for, the respect, the sacrifices," Wetzel said.
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