COLUMBUS (WCMH) — For the first time in nine years the Columbus Honor Flight took a plane of female veterans to the National Capital.

Saturday, these veterans were welcomed home by hundreds at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

The all women veterans flight honors our nations senior veterans from WWII, the Korea and Vietnam War. About 80 veterans took invited to take the one-day trip to Washington D.C.

This trip was sponsored by Westerville. It’s the towns 8th Veteran Honor Flight.

Westerville’s mayor, Kathy Cocuzzi tells NBC 4, the town purposely chose to honor woman on this flight, showing their support for women in the military.

“It’s overwhelming,” said Air Force Veteran, Mary Joyce Badie, of the surprise homecoming. “I was not expecting this either what a surprise. I just think everybody for this is such a great day for me”.

“It was just wonderful,” said United States Navy Veteran, Vera Westbrook. “I had so much fun it was just a blast today, I had a great time”.

Columbus is now the third Honor Flight Program to send a trip of all women to D.C. The others were Cincinnati and Colorado.