A heroic sendoff took place this morning at MacArthur Airport for World War II veterans from Long Island.

A total of 18 World War II vets took flight on a two day trip to New Orleans to take a tour to the National World War II Museum.

In addition, 20 Wantagh students joined the veterans with the purpose to educate and learn about our veterans and their service.

"If it wasn't for these guys, we wouldn't have freedoms we have today or we don't know what the alternative could have been. I wouldn't have been able to live the life I have today and these guys they really are heroes,” says Michael Michitsch, Wantagh High School.

The trip is part of the Gary Sinise Foundation's Soaring Valor Program, which brings veterans to museums built in their honor.

The foundation covers all costs of the trip for the vets, their guardians, and the students.