California, Arizona veterans given special trip to National WWII Museum

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A group of World War II veterans from California and Arizona flew to New Orleans Wednesday to visit the National WWII Museum thanks to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

The nonprofit, created by actor Gary Sinise, partnered with the museum to give 15 California and 20 Arizona veterans the chance to see the place. The Soaring Valor program started in 2015.

The trip started in Los Angeles with a warm hero's welcome at Los Angeles International Airport and then American Airlines stopped in Phoenix to pick up the Arizona vets.

The Gary Sinise Foundation was created to honor current military members, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. In 2012, the foundation created a special program that designs specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans around the nation.