BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Billings veteran died just hours after returning from a Big Sky Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

Jeff Buska tells The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/1mhorH6 ) his father Donald had the time of his life on the trip Sunday and Monday. The 86-year-old veteran visited the National Mall, several monuments and shook hands with schoolchildren.

Two Japanese tourists asked to take pictures with him. He agreed, in exchange for a hug.

Donald Buska attended a banquet Sunday night, visited the National World War II Memorial on Monday and was impressed with the send-off at Dulles International Airport and the reception when he returned to Billings.

Jeff Buska says they stayed up until midnight as his dad shared the highlights of the trip with some of his children.

Donald Buska died four hours later.

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