PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A United States Navy veteran has become a big supporter of Honor Flights that take veterans on one-day trips to Washington, D.C. to honor their service. Paul Branesky has paid for dozens of veterans to make one of those trips.

What You Need To Know

  • Paul Branesky is a United States Navy veteran
  • Branesky has taken 11 Honor Flights as a guardian for other veterans

  • Branesky says the welome home celebrations at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airports are thrilling

  • Branesky has paid for dozens of veterans to take an Honor Flight 

Branesky recently welcomed home a group of veterans at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.

Branesky says he has gone on 11 of the Honor Flights acting as a guardian for a vet. And he has taken an honor flight for himself with his daughter acting as his guardian. He got the bug after his first flight.

“And I got hooked,” said Branesky. “I mean, I see the things that go on. Me being a veteran and helping other veterans. I do anything I can to help another veteran.”

Branesky sees many friends and fellow vets when he’s there for the return celebrations. He said the events are like homecomings. “Oh yes. It’s an honor every time I come here and welcome these guys home, and gals, that are on the honor flights,” he said.

Branesky said it was a wonderful experience to be a guardian for elderly vets making one of the trips.

“Being a guardian is awesome because I have met a lot of good people and there’s only about three of them left alive today because most of them were World War II veterans.”