Eight World War II veterans who have made the trip to Washington D.C. with Puget Sound Honor Flight were honored during halftime at the Seahawks-Cardinals game.
Puget Sound Honor Flight is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to transport Western Washington war veterans to Washington, D.C. - at no expense to them - to visit memorials that honor their service and sacrifice.
The inaugural flight took place in the fall of 2013. More than 400 local veterans and their guardians have participated in 10 flights, with more than 100 still on the waiting list. Make a donation
As part of the Seahawks' "Salute to Service" game, Corporal Clayton Pitre, U.S. Marines, raised the 12 Flag prior to kickoff. Pitre, 91, was one of the first African-Americans allowed to join the U.S. Marines in World War II and trained at the segregated Montford Point Base in North Carolina.
As a member of Platoon 126, he participated in the 82-day Okinawa siege, the last major battle in the Pacific. In 2012, members of the Montford Point Marines were recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Pitre, who has lived in Seattle for 60 years, is a longtime Seahawks fan.
Petty Officer Darren Harrity, U.S. Coast Guard, participated in the Seahawks team run-out by carrying the U.S. Flag. Petty Officer Harrity saved the lives of four fishermen off the coast of Oregon last summer.
The Seahawks, in conjunction with USAA, hosted more than 200 local service members on the field during the national anthem, performed by Technical Sergeant Alfredo (Freddie) Garza Jr., a Yakima native.
Seahawks suite owners hosted more than 100 service members to watch the game.
