The first Hawaiian Islands Honor Flight left Honolulu this morning, a feel-good moment for local veterans finally getting to see the war memorials in person.

• Local veterans flew out to Washington, D.C. on the program's first-ever trip from Hawaii.
• Among them is Paula Schulz, who spent 21 years as an Army nurse, including stateside duty during the Vietnam War, and retired as a lieutenant colonel.
• She is most looking forward to the Women's Memorial, which honors women who served.
• The group will also visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Memorial.

Outlook: The veterans return to Honolulu Wednesday for a community welcome-home ceremony.