Gulf Coast honors war veterans Published Oct. 31, 2013 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Mississippi Gulf Coast has one more special opportunity to show its appreciation to World War II veterans at the Oct.5 Honor Flight Welcome Home celebration at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Col. René Romero, 81st Training Wing vice commander, will address military and civilian supporters at 7 p.m., followed by the arrival of about 50 veterans and their escorts at 7:30 p.m. The Keesler Honor Guard will also be on hand to march with the returning participants. Tuesday's event marks the seventh and final trip hosted by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight, a nonprofit nationwide network of more than 100 "hubs" across the U.S. Over the past three years, 522 veterans have participated in one-day free trips to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at the World War II Memorial and to visit other sites such as the Air Force, Korean, Vietnam, Iwo Jima and Lincoln Memorials. They also stop at Arlington National Cemetery to view the changing of the guard and to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The last flight took place on Oct. 1.Tuesday's event was scheduled to accommodate the remaining veterans who couldn't be accommodated on the October flight.