It's a special moment when we can give back to the men and women who have serviced our country and protected our freedom.

That happened in a big way Friday when Sendik's Grocery Stores made a $180,000 donation to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. 

The money will help 180 veterans take a special trip to Washington D.C. to visit the WW II Memorial.

The trip is a transformative experience. Just ask David Meltzer who served as an Army Corporal in the 95th infantry under General Patton.

\"The reason I wanted to go on the flight is to remember my friends,\"  Meltzer told CBS 58 News. \"We took it for granted that we were going to save the world for our country. And, you know, none of us had the fear that we were going to die because when you're 20, you live forever.\"

The next Honor Flight is scheduled for October.