Nearly 40 veterans received a Washington, D.C.-style tribute at Cantigny Park in Wheaton on Wednesday, Oct. 7, without ever leaving the ground.

Honor Flight Chicago hosted "Operation Eagles Landing," what the organization calls a "flightless flight," for veterans who cannot make the daylong trip to the nation's capital. The event was first reported by ABC7 Chicago.

Doug Meffley, co-director of Honor Flight Chicago, said some veterans are too ill to travel or unable to spend a full day in Washington.

The program brings the memorial experience to them instead.

Among those honored was Fred Schulz, a 98-year-old World War II Marine. Schulz told ABC7 he has no regrets about his service, saying it gave his life structure and led to a good job. His granddaughter, Daniela Schulz, said his military stories inspired her to join the National Guard.

Don Sreniawski, a 91-year-old Korean War veteran, attended his first Honor Flight experience without boarding a plane. Sreniawski credited the Army with helping him grow up, earn the GI Bill and go to college.

Vietnam veteran Arthur Chavez, 76, spoke about returning from service. "Some of us didn't really want to wear our uniform coming home but we were ordered to," Chavez said at the event.

Jim Mukoyama, a retired U.S. Army major general and Vietnam veteran, also attended. According to a profile by the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Mukoyama became the first Asian American to command a U.S. Army division in 1989. He told ABC7 that military service creates "a special bond" built on shared values and experiences.

Honor Flight Chicago, founded in 2008, flies veterans to Washington on free, one-day trips to tour the war memorials. The nonprofit has honored more than 12,800 veterans across three eras of service, according to its website. On its most recent flight, Sept. 23, one World War II veteran, four Korean War veterans and 101 Vietnam War veterans made the trip.

Upcoming veterans events at Cantigny Park

The Cantigny 5K Run/Walk, a benefit for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, takes place Oct. 17. A free Therapeutic Horticulture Workshop for veterans and their caregivers is scheduled for Oct. 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Cantigny's Le Jardin.