BELLE FOURCHE—For Dave Raber, a U.S. Navy veteran who grew up in Belle Fourche, S.D., a recent Midwest Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., became far more than a sightseeing trip. It was a powerful day of remembrance, gratitude, and recognition for military veterans who served their country decades ago.
On May 19, Raber joined 82 other veterans from South Dakota, Northwest Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Southwest Minnesota on Midwest Honor Flight Mission 30. The nonprofit organization transports veterans to the nation’s capital free of charge so they can visit the national memorials dedicated to America’s military service members and the sacrifices they all made.
The timing felt especially meaningful as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. “The whole Honor Flight experience helped to wiped out the bad memories I had from coming home from war all those years ago,” Raber said.
Mission 30 included 74 Vietnam veterans, five Korean War veterans, and four peacetime veterans. Raber’s son, Barry, who was born while his father was at war in Vietnam, accompanied his father on the one-day trip.
The day of the tour began long before sunrise. Veterans gathered in Sioux Falls to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at 4:20 a.m. before boarding a chartered JetBlue aircraft for Washington, D.C. A dedicated team of volunteers assisted the veterans every step of the way. “There had to be close to 100 volunteers helping throughout the trip,” Barry Raber noted. “There were volunteers on the buses, a medical team, people helping with wheelchairs and mobility, handing out food and water. Everything was extremely well organized.”
Dave described the experience simply: “It was first cabin all the way.” During their whirlwind tour of our nation’s capital, the group visited seven major national memorial sites: Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Navy Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.
For Raber, Arlington National Cemetery left the deepest impression. “The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was the highlight for me,” he said. “The soldiers who performed it were incredibly well trained and moved with extreme precision. You could tell how much respect they had for what the memorial represents.”
Barry said seeing Arlington National Cemetery for the first time helped him grasp the scale of military sacrifice in our country. “I never realized how massive it was,” he said. “There are more than 400,000 people buried there, and they perform 30 military funerals a day.”
The veterans also had an opportunity to meet with South Dakota’s congressional delegation during their visit to Washington. U.S. Senator John Thune and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson took time from their busy week in session to greet the veterans and thank them personally for their service.
At the Iwo Jima Memorial, the veterans gathered for a group photo beneath the towering bronze sculpture depicting Marines raising the American flag over Iwo Jima during World War II.
Raber, who served in Vietnam during 1967 and 1968, said seeing the memorials in person carried a special emotional weight. “These monuments honor people who sacrificed so much for the country,” he said. “Being there and seeing them up close gives you a completely different appreciation.”
Raber served as the only commissioned officer assigned to a Patrol Boat Riverine unit during the Vietnam War. He survived the Tet Offensive and helped lead Navy psychological operations efforts during the conflict.
In 2025, he documented his experiences in a wartime memoir, From Variety Show to Vietnam. During the Honor Flight, he handed out signed copies of the book to fellow veterans, volunteers, and even flight attendants.
The trip also included many memorable moments designed to recognize the veterans’ service. The night before the flight, veterans and families attended a banquet at the Sanford Event Barn in Sioux Falls. During the return flight home, each veteran received “Mail Call,” a packet of letters and cards from family members, friends, schoolchildren, and elected officials. “I received nearly 50 letters,” Raber said. “Some were from family and friends. Some were from local school kids who included drawings and thank you notes.”
When weather delayed the group’s return flight from Reagan National Airport, volunteers entertained the veterans by singing patriotic songs, including “God Bless the USA.”
Once they got back to Sioux Falls, Operation Welcome Home was in full swing. The final moments of the Honor Flight wowed the veterans yet again, as about 1,000 local citizens showed up to welcome them home with flags and handmade signs and a bagpipe band playing.
“I must’ve shaken hands with 500 people, who each said, ‘Thank you for your service.’ They let us know how much they appreciate what we sacrificed,” Raber said. “It was overwhelming.”
Founded in 2017, Midwest Honor Flight is part of the national Honor Flight Network, which operates through more than 130 regional hubs across the country. Flights are funded entirely through donations, allowing veterans to participate at no cost.
Because of high demand, veterans often wait years for the opportunity. Raber’s niece, Tracey Steinbach, submitted his application nearly two years ago.
Although he initially hesitated because of the long schedule and extensive travel, Raber now strongly encourages other veterans to participate if given the chance. “If you have the opportunity to go, you should,” he said. “The volunteers take such good care of you, and seeing those memorials in person is something you’ll never forget.”
“The whole experience will make you proud of being a U.S. citizen.”
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