WASHINGTON, D.C. — Veterans from across the region boarded the Honor Flight Capital Region bus before sunrise, bound for Washington, D.C., on a mission that was far more personal than it appeared on the surface.

For Vietnam veterans like John "Saint" Bryant and George Remmey, it wasn’t just a visit to monuments. It was about finding peace, remembrance, and long-overdue recognition.

Marine Sergeant John “Saint” Bryant served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He survived ambushes, earned three battlefield promotions, and carried the trauma of war—and an unwelcoming homecoming.

"Before we even left Vietnam, they told us not to say anything. Take off your medals. Don’t let them know you’re coming home," Bryant remembered. "Which was a mistake."

Now in 2025, Bryant found himself standing where

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