Two Local Vets TAKE tRIP OF LIFETIME

    Recently, a couple local veterans got to take a special plane ride that many others like them have enjoyed previously.  Vern Swanson of Claremont and Monty Liknes of Langford were among many vets who were part of the last two 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. The organization has flown over 1,700 veterans to the nation’s capital on 20 ‘missions.’
    Local Korean War vet Vern Swanson, formerly of Claremont and now of Aberdeen, took this momentous flight in May as part of “Mission 19.”  He served in the Army from 1953-55 and spent two Christmases in Korea during that time. Swanson was among around 80 vets who traveled to D.C. on May 21. 
    Aboard the latest Midwest Honor Flight was Marshall County Veteran Monty Liknes. Liknes was one of 79 vets to take the June 5 “Mission 20” trip. Liknes is a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964-1984.  He sent time in both Vietnam and Thailand before retiring as an E7 Master Sergeant. 
    Liknes had signed up for the Honor Flight a few years ago before finally making the trip. Swanson, as a Korean War vet, had not been waiting as long. He was encouraged to take the trip by his wife Virginia and daughter Veronica, who accompanied him as his “guardian.” 
    The night before the flight, a banquet at a hotel in Sioux Falls is held to welcome all the veterans. The next day, the vets fly out. 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 family as well as strangers while on the flight. The group arrives in D.C. before 10 a.m.
    Upon arriving in the D.C. area, the Honor Flight travelers board buses to visit several important points of interest. They stop at the Navy, Air Force and FDR Memorials. They also drive around Arlington National Cemetery. Swanson found the changing of the guard ceremony at the cemetery to be very compelling. 
     Later the group makes a stop many veterans look forward to: the National Mall, which includes the Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Vietnam Memorial. 
    The local veterans found the sites to be very moving on their respective trips. As a Korean War veteran, Swanson spent some quality time at his memorial which features 19 stainless steel statues representing the service members who fought in the war. He and the other two Korea vets on that flight made sure to grab a special photo by the memorial. 
    Swanson found the trip to be worthwhile and meaningful. “I had visited there before many years ago but a lot had changed,” he said. “It was a gift to be able to get to go on it with the other veterans. It was a great experience.” He adds that the trip was well organized, and he’d recommend it for other vets. 
    For his part, as an Air Force vet, Liknes found that memorial to be the most moving. The Air Force Memorial features three big spires that evoke the contrails of Thunderbirds performing their signature “bomb burst” maneuver. 
    On this, his first trip to the capital, Liknes also enjoyed many of the other stops as well, including the Vietnam Wall and the Nurses Memorial. He was accompanied by his “guardian,” his son Dr. Eric Liknes who grew up as an “Air Force brat.”
    “It was a very busy and moving day,” said Liknes. He added that it was a pleasure throughout the day to be greeted while out and about by other D.C. visitors, especially school children. The Honor Flight veterans, all similarly dressed, were often recognized and thanked for their service by others at the memorials and monuments. 
    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. Both men were very moved to be surprised by multiple generations of family members at the welcome back event along with many other organizations, veterans’ groups and active military. 
    “I would absolutely recommend the trip to other veterans,” said Liknes. “The work that goes into each of the flights is unbelievable, and I really thank the people responsible for it.” 
    The next Honor Flight trip will take place in September 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.