Jim Thompson, Special to the Beacon,
BELLE FOURCHE—My first knowledge about “Honor Flights” came when my cousin Bill Sarsland took one several years ago. His Daughter Brenda Frieze served as his guardian. Then Brenda moved to the Black Hills and we found out more about Honor Flights. I sent for an application PO Box 22 Sioux Center, IA 51250. All I needed was a copy of my DD 214 and I was officially accepted.
I suppose I waited 6 months before I was notified that I had been scheduled for a Sept 29 flight to Washington DC from Sioux Falls. No cost to me, though I did have to pay $100 a night at the Sheraton Sioux Falls for the stay the night before the flight and the night of the return flight. I also paid $10 for a cap. My son Kyle went along as my guardian. Everyone has to have a guardian. I suppose it’s because of the age of the veterans. At 79 I truly didn’t think I’d need one but it was a great trip with Kyle. He paid a “donation” of nearly $1000 for the trip and all the benefits. He also has to fly from Tulsa to Sioux Falls the day before the flight to take a class on the duties of a guardian.
We had a dinner on the night before the Honor Flight to meet everyone, 82 veterans and 82 guardians plus about 2 dozen staff to help facilitate the day.
On Tuesday Sept 29th, Kyle and I got up about 2:30AM for the shuttle to the Sioux Falls Airport. No TSA issues, but you did need a correct drivers license with the STAR on it. The plane was a charter from Jet Blue. The flight was about 2 ½ hours to Reagan in Washington DC. From there we shifted into busses..4 of them and toured the monuments.
Air Force Monument, Marine Monument, Navy monument and the Capital Mall with the Viet Nam Wall and the Korean War memorial. We also saw the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown soldier. (by the way the Reflecting Pool is dry today; no water in it) And had our picture taken as a group at the Lincoln memorial. In the middle we lacked for nothing; water, snacks, meals. Time was an issue as probably 1/3 of the vets required wheel chairs. The guardians and staff made that easier. The Park police gave an escort to the airport for what should have been a 6:00 flight home. There wasn’t much communication about that..just rumors like the real military! 🙂 Finally we took off for home about 3 hours late. During the home flight the staff had mail call! Everyone received letters and notes and post cards..very gratifying.
We arrived at 11:30PM Sioux Falls time believing there’d be little activity! Wrong! Hundreds of people greeted us coming in, unlike when we arrived from overseas in Viet Nam or Korea in my case. Hundreds of people, like it was New Years Eve with balloons and flags and cheering crowds. Hugs and kisses and handshakes, adults and kids all over. We were presented a plaque “Honorable Discharge from the Midwest Honor Flight”. The whole ending was very tear inducing. We were truly welcomed home and thanked for our service.
Incidentally if you served in the military and are curious about your eligibility for an Honor Flight just all 605-215- 1319 and inquire. These folks are very accommodating. Same goes if you’d like to be a sponsor or a guardian. Call.
God Bless America!
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