Seventy-five World War II veterans headed to the nation's capital Saturday as part of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight.

The veterans were escorted onto the Westchester County Airport tarmac by police, where a bagpipe band lead the veterans to a ceremony in their honor. Friends, family, area residents and local elected leaders looked on as the former soldiers made their way onto the jet.

Fire trucks created an arch of water for the plane to pass through.

The flight is an all-expenses-paid visit to Washington, D.C., where the veterans were to take a tour of the World War II memorials in the capital. Stops include the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

This is the sixth honor flight in the Hudson Valley and the first that departed from Westchester County.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano honored 14 of the veterans during a ceremony Friday night. He presented medals and certificates to the veterans and thanked them for their service.