One Final Tour With Honor

    Recently, a couple local veterans got to take a special plane ride that many others like them have enjoyed previously.  Arnold Beck and Norman Carlson were among many vets who were part of the two latest Midwest Honor Flight trips to Washington D.C. The men toured various monuments, memorials, and perhaps most notably, received a welcome that was beyond their imagining. 
    The organization responsible for the trip is the Midwest Honor Flight, part of the national Honor Flight Network. According to their website, the Midwest Honor Flight recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, D.C. to see their memorial at no cost.  Top priority is given to World War II and terminally ill veterans from all wars. These days though, most of the group is made up of  Korean War and Vietnam War veterans.  
    Local Korean War vet Arnold Beck took this momentous flight in late September. Beck served in the Army from 1953-54 and was among 85 vets who traveled to D.C. on September 26.     Aboard the latest Midwest Honor Flight was Marshall County Veteran Norman Carlson. Carlson of Britton was one of 85 vets to take the October 10 flight known as the Clifford and Lavonne Graese Foundation Mission 17 trip. 
    Carlson is a Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1952-54. He spent most of his time in Japan. The idea of joining an Honor Flight was suggested to Carlson by his daughter a few months back. He admits that at first, he wasn’t sure about the trip as he was having some health concerns. Yet, Carlson was eventually convinced. 
    On the trip, Carlson was one of just five Korean War veterans and the second oldest on the trip at age 92. Carlson was joined on the trip by his daughter Jill Gerrick who acted as his “Guardian.” Guardians go with the veterans to act as helpers.
    The night before the flight, a banquet is held to welcome all the veterans. The next day, the vets fly out of Sioux Falls. The trip is a one-day whirlwind adventure. The day starts at 3 a.m. with the vets flying out at 6:30 a.m. on a chartered flight. The veterans get a chance to read thank you cards from all over the country while on the flight.  Carlson said the group arrived in D.C. before 9 a.m. 
    Upon arriving in the D.C. area, the Honor Flight participants boarded buses to visit several important points of interest. They stopped at the Navy, Air Force and FDR Memorials. They drive around Arlington National Cemetery. Carlson found the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to be very compelling. 
     Later the group made a stop many veterans were looking forward to: the National Mall, which includes the Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Vietnam Memorial. 
    The Marshall County veterans found the sites to be very moving on their respective trips. As a Korean War veteran, Carlson found the memorial for that war, which features 19 stainless steel statues representing the service members who fought in the war, very moving. He also found and took a photo of the name of a friend who died in that war on the memorial. The fallen veteran was Dirk Abbas, who lived across the street from Carlson in Britton. 
    The Korean War vet found the trip to be worthwhile and meaningful. “It was my first trip to Washington D.C.,” said Carlson. “I met a lot of guys and we enjoyed exchanging information.” He adds that the trip was well organized, and he’d recommend it for other vets. 
    The group flew back to South Dakota, returning around 9 p.m. A hearty welcome home was also given when the group arrived back in Sioux Falls when they were greeted at the convention center by throngs of cheering people. Carlson was extra moved that additional family members surprised him at the welcome back event. 
    In a letter from Aaron Van Beek, the President and CEO of Midwest Honor Flight, he says to the veterans on the trip, “For what you and your comrades have given to us, please consider this a small token of appreciation from all of us. Thank you for your service to the United States of America.” 
    The next Honor Flight trip will take place in Spring of 2024. Interested veterans can visit midwesthonorflight.org for more information. Or contact Midwest Honor Flight at PO Box 22, Sioux Center, IA 51250 or call (605) 215-1319.