WASHINGTON (AP) - About 100 World War II veterans from Kansas
are in the nation's capitol to get their first glimpse of the memorial that honors their heroism.

They were flown to Washington for free through the nonprofit
Honor Flight program, which brings veterans to visit the World War
II Memorial free of charge.

The veterans got a rousing reception when their charter plane landed at Reagan National Airport. At the memorial, they were greeted by former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole and Kansas Rep. Jerry Moran.

Moran's 92-year-old father, a retired Army staff sergeant, also got to make the trip.

The Honor Flight program has helped more than 5,000 veterans from around the nation travel to see the memorial over the past three years. At least eight flights have carried Kansas veterans so far.