The partial shutdown of the Federal government did not stop a group of more than fifty local World War II veterans from departing for Washington, D.C., on Friday.
The Oregon vets are being flown to visit the World War II Memorial as part of a program sponsored by the nonprofit organization.
Armando Borboa, a spokesman for the Oregon National Guard, says the atmosphere at the airport was festive.
"People started clapping. They would ask what was going on, they would shake their hands and want to talk to them," he says. "People were very excited. The veterans, themselves, they were excited."
The park in D.C. is closed to the public due to the shutdown, but the National Park Service has said all vets arriving on honor flights will be allowed past the barricades.
Borboa says Oregon congressmen Peter De Fazio and Greg Walden plan to meet the group at the memorial to ensure they’re allowed to visit.
Copyright 2013 Oregon Public Broadcasting