MACON, Ga. — Lou Popp is a father, and grandfather, who's usually wearing a veterans hat.
"I wear a ball cap that says something, that makes everybody know I'm a veteran anyway. I'm very proud of it," Popp said.
Popp joined the Navy right out of high school. During the Vietnam War, he served on a nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine in Scotland. But his service wasn't always something he proudly displayed.
"At that time people didn't like the military, and they would spit on you, they'd throw stuff on you," Popp said.
Ben Sandifer's heard many Vietnam veterans share that same story. He's been volunteering with Middle Georgia Honor Flight for years- it's part of a national organization that takes veterans to see war memorials in D.C. free of charge.
"We know the Vietnam veterans, they were treated any way but honored when they came home," Sandifer said.
On Nov. 4, Sandifer's team is taking Popp and other Vietnam War veterans to D.C. from the Middle Georgia Regional Airport.
He said the day spent in D.C. will be a full day of honor for those veterans who didn't get the thanks they deserved.
"All the day long, strangers in Washington D.C. coming up, thanking them for their service," Sandifer said.
Popp said that thanks years later, means everything today.
"I've had six and seven-year-olds walk up and shake my hand and thank me for my service. And that's you know, there's nothing like it, that's incredible," Popp said.
The honor flight's also a chance for veterans to connect with others who understand their story more than anybody else.
"Some of them have never shared their stories until they get on an honor flight around other veterans, and it's just more comfortable for them. Some of them have never told their family members what they did," Popp said.
After spending four years on a submarine, Popp still feels drawn to the water today. He built a deck, and kitchenette on the lake by his house, where he spends time with family, sharing stories and lessons from the war.
He's excited to swap stories and share experiences with other veterans in D.C. during the honor flight.
"No matter when you were in, no matter what war you fought under or were in during- nobody's forgotten ya. You're still out there, and you're still cared about," Popp said.
Middle Georgia Honor Flight takes veterans on six trips a year. If you'd like to sign up for a flight, or sign up to volunteer with them, you can visit their website here.
